Dreams Really Do Come True
Every year in February, a magical thing happens. And no, it’s not Temperature Tuesday at Runza — which, in all fairness, is magical, but not the thing we’re thinking of.
You see, every February, hundreds of people from across the state of Nebraska come together to attend the Wish Ball, the yearly gala celebrating the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Nebraska.
For anyone unfamiliar with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and their goals, allow us to make the introduction. Throughout Nebraska, there are hundreds of young people — let’s call them “Wish Kids” — who find themselves facing critical illnesses. The team at Make-A-Wish meets with them, identifies a wish they can grant, and partners with donors and community members to make those wishes come true — because “a wish is an integral part of a child’s treatment journey.” Wishes can help children build the physical and emotional strength needed to fight a critical illness.
These wishes range from living as a zookeeper for a day, to visiting Walt Disney World, to receiving a new play structure, to meeting Ndamukong Suh.
In Nebraska, Make-A-Wish is proud that 82% of every dollar raised goes toward the Wish Granting Program. To date, they have granted over 2,900 wishes, with no signs of stopping — there are currently over 150 Nebraska children whose wishes are waiting, and that number grows every day. Over 300 volunteers are committed to making wishes come true.
How to Refer Someone to Make-A-Wish
Anyone can nominate a kid to receive a wish from Make-A-Wish. If you know someone who could use a wish granted, and they fall under the criteria below, reach out to Make-A-Wish Nebraska and start a wish journey today.
Child must be 2 1/2 years, and not yet 18 years, and be diagnosed by a doctor as having a critical illness (cases vary)
Wishes are granted regardless of sex, race, religion, or income
Medical eligibility determined by physician
Wish Granter volunteers come to the wish family’s house to help determine the wish kid’s one true wish
To learn more and help grant wishes, visit wish.org/nebraska
