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When the Steelers' won the AFC Championship on January 23, 2011, Randy's wish was granted. He wanted to go to Super Bowl XLV to watch the Steelers' and to be a part of Super Bowl Week festivities. With the Super Bowl being only 14 days out, we weren't sure if we could make it happen, but we took on the challenge with a "we can do it" attitude. We did make it happen with the help of the "whole village and outside villages". Wheeling Island Hotel, Casino & Racetrack, West Virginia Athletic Department, and a Texas confidential donor all stepped in the village square to help make Randy's wish a reality. There were tickets to be found, flights to be arranged, lodging to be secured and other arrangements to be made.
Randy, a 16 year old from Wheeling, WV just completed his chemo treatments battling Ewing's Sarcoma. His parents, Randall and Liz and sister Leigh Ann celebrated his wish with him in Dallas, Texas. The weather was also trying to be a challenge, but with flight pattern changes we were able to get them there on schedule. While in Dallas the family visited the Dallas World Aquarium, the NFL Experience at the Dallas Convention Center and Medieval Times for dinner and tournament. Upon arrival a "Knighting Ceremony" was held to honor Randy. It was a sensational week for Randy and family.
What a unique idea! Wish kids paint their very own personalized plates for the auction at the Weirton event held this winter. Sponsored by The Homer Laughlin China Company, kids were welcomed at their Newell, WV outlet store. The plates were provided for the kids and fired after each design was carefully mastered onto the plate. Fiesta Dinnerware, a product of The Homer Laughlin China Company, is one of the most famous and popular dinnerware found in homes and businesses today.
The wish kids who participated wanted to help raise money to help grant wishes for other children who may have wishes granted. They placed their plates on a special table at the Wish Upon a Star Gala for auction. The plates were an exciting feature at the event and created a wonderful highlight for the evening.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Northern West Virginia's mission is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Northern West Virginia has been granting wishes since 1989 serving the northern 32 counties in West Virginia. See Where to Find Us for specifics.
In 1980, Chris Greicius was a 7-year-old boy being treated for leukemia. Whenever he saw a police officer, he saw everything he wanted to be. Law enforcement officers heard about Chris' wish to be a police officer and responded to the call. A police helicopter flew him to headquarters for a tour, a ride in a patrol car and a ceremony making him the first-ever honorary state patrolman in Arizona history. They also presented him a custom-tailored uniform, motorcycle helmet, campaign hat and the motorcycle wings he earned on his own battery-powered bike. Many of those responsible for fulfilling Chris' wish wanted to do the same for other children with life-threatening medical conditions and founded the Make-A-Wish Foundation® in November 1980 .
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