September 2010

As the New Orleans Saints prepare to defend their Super Bowl Championship, New Orleans fans have already come up with our own version of a “repeat” chant.

Whether it’s “Two-Dat” or “Deux-Dat”, there is no better way to show your support for our Saints than by sporting a t-shirt from A Child’s Wish of Louisiana.

T-Shirts are just $25.00, and all proceeds go to fund wishes for critically ill children.

SUPPORT A CHILD’S WISH OF LOUISIANA – BUY YOUR “DEUX-DAT” T-SHIRTS HERE!

Wish Granting Organization

Recent AWGO Newsletters:  Check out info about scholarships for cancer survivors & siblings as well as info about donating your frequent flyer miles.

1. Scholarships for Cancer Survivors and their Siblings
2. Wigs for Cancer Patients
3. Donating Your Frequent Flyer Miles
4. Medical Air Travel – Valuable Resourcs for Children and their Families
5. Prescription Assistance – Learn about Needy Medz and Rx Assist

About AWGO

The early 80’s brought about a new concept in charities, focusing on children with critical, chronic, life-threatening and terminal illnesses. The mission of these organizations was to grant the child’s wishes and dreams.

In 1990, Dr. Tom Dovel, a marketing professor at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio and a board member of A Special wish foundation, Inc. a children’s wish granting organization based in Columbus, Ohio, devised a project for his marketing class to show his students how rewarding it can be to give of one’s self to others less fortunate.

In 1995 the Association of Wish Granting Organizations was formed to facilitate the flow of open and positive communications between the various wish and dream granting organizations and ultimately benefit the children. A Child’s Wish of Louisiana is a proud member of this assocation and stands behind it’s principals and guidelines.

Our qualifications for Membership in the Association of Wish Granting Organizations are:

1. To establish and maintain the highest standards of the wish granting process for the individual and her / his family;
2. To develop professional standards and ethical behaviors in all areas of program operations, fundraising and management;
3. To foster among new and existing members cooperation and the sharing of ideas and information in an environment of mutual support and respect:
4. To promote public trust in all communities through each member’s commitment to the standards set forth by the association.

Additional qualifications for membership are:

1. Member Purpose Provides services in the granting of wishes or dreams to seriously, critically, chronically or terminally ill or injured individuals or individuals with life threatening medical conditions (the “Member Purpose;”)
2. Non-Profit Corporation Be a non-profit corporation duly organized and in good standing under the laws of a state or territory of the United States of America, or other appropriate governmental jurisdiction;
3. Tax Exempt Be a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or other pertinent code, rule or regulation of the appropriate jurisdiction;
4. Non-Discrimination Engage in all of its activities without regard to race, religion, political preference, ethnic, cultural or national origin, sex or similar basis;
5. Integrity and Effectiveness Demonstrate administrative interity, program effectiveness, fund raising efficiency, financial responsibility and accountability to donors through compliance with all local, state and federal laws:
6. Other Qualification Meet such other qualifications and requirements as the Association may require from time to time.

Members also agree to expend no more than 30% of their total annual expenditures on administration and fundraising costs thereby providing at least 70% of their total annual expenditures on programs and activities directly related to wishes and dreams.

A great time was had by all at our 1st Annual Bowl-A-Thon, held at Colonial Lanes on Sunday November 2, 2008.  We had 30 bowlers enoying themselves and winning door prizes as they bowled, as well as raising money to grant wishes for Louisiana Children.  Come join us next year in May 2009 for our 2nd Annual event.  If you have interest in particpating as a team or a company please email Tina@kmdcpa.net.

Our 2008 Bowl-A-Thon Winners:

Most Pledges:  Terry Brouillette,  2nd Place – FBT Foxes

T-shirt Contest winners:  First Light of New Orleans “Priceless”

1st Place Bowling Team:   FBT Foxes,  2nd Place Bowling Team:  Wishful Thinkers

High Scores:

Men 1st Place:  David Kleindorf,   2nd Place:  Doug Cardinal

Ladies 1st Place:  Misty Ramil,  2nd Place:  Tammy McDaniel

Photos from the 2008 Bowl-A-Thon

Ready to do a little shopping to benefit A Child’s Wish?  We are proud to paritcipate in Macy’s Charity Day Event where shoppers will have a 25% discount on any items purchased on that day!  This event is closed to the public and you must have a ticket to attend.

WHAT DO I GET?

• 25% Savings Store Wide
• Private Shopping Times (closed to the public)

WHEN IS IT?

Wednesday, October 22, 2008 from 10am – 9pm

PURPOSE

To celebrate Macy’s New Orleans Grand Opening of 2 new stores – Lakeside Shopping Center and The Esplanade with a Preview Shopping Day and Charity Benefit for the community, featuring local schools, churches and nonprofit organizations.

HOW ORGANIZATIONS BENEFIT

Each participating school, church or nonprofit organization will receive an allotment of Charity Day tickets to Macy’s Charity Day.  On this special day the store will be  closed to the public. Each organization will sell tickets for $5.00 and keep all of the contributions. The ticket allows the purchaser to be admitted to Macy’s Esplanade/Lakeside on this special preview-shopping day.

AN ALL DAY SHOPPING PASS WITH 25% DISCOUNT

Use this discount in-store, on Charity Day only at The Esplanade and/or Lakeside Shopping Center stores

QUESTIONS:

Call us at 504-367-WISH or email us at info@achildswish.org.

The New Orleans Hornets made a young boy’s dream come true by hosting Brandon and his family for a night at “The Hive.”  Brandon and his family were granted courtside access which included meeting several Hornets players, going on the court during a break in the game and even spending some time with Hornets owner Mr. George Shinn.

Brandon is fighting a tough battle against lukemia and was originally referred to A Child’s Wish to have his original wish granted which was an electronics shopping spree.  Brandon picked out a new big screen TV that his family can enjoy plus a new XBox console and games for himeself.  And since Brandon’s wish took place in May at the height of the Hornets historic playoff run – Brandon asked if he could attend a home game with his family.

Even though the game was sold out the Hornets set aside tickets for Brandon and his family.  Their night on the town started with a limo ride from home with his family and big smiles all around.  Upon arriving at the New Orleans arena he had the chance to meet the Hornets playes during their shootaround and even take a couple of shots himself!

Brandon met many of the players and got their autographs on his special souvenir basketball all provided courtesy of the Hornets.  Take a look at some of his pictures with the Hornets players and even the owner, Mr. George Shinn!

Right in the middle of the NBA Playoffs we were once again reminded that basketball is just a game.  New Orleans superstar Chris Paul wrote the name “Brian” on his shoes for Game 3 in honor of a young fan who passed away before getting to have his wish granted by meeting his basketball hero.

A member the boy’s family contacted A Child’s Wish to ask if they could arrange for him to attend a Hornets game and meet Chris Paul.  Brian, age 8, was fighting cancer but his family says that never took off his Chris Paul jersey and was a huge hornets fan.

The Hornets, working through A Child’s Wish, gave the boy playoff tickets to Game 2 vs. the Spurs.  But sadly Brian developed a fever and died a few hours later.

According to a New Orleans Times-Picayune story, “Brian told his family that he knew he was going to heaven and that he wanted to meet Jesus wearing his Chris Paul jersey.”

“I was speechless,” Paul said before Game 3 Thursday night. “Even now, it’s something that words can’t describe. This is probably one of the most humbling experiences of my life.”

The Hornets may have lost game 3 but it wasn’t for lack of effort by Paul.  He scored 35 points and 9 assists against the multiple time NBA Champs.

Several members of the Hornets organization including the owner, George Shinn were so touched by the story that they have pledged ongoing support to A Child’s Wish to help make other wishes come true before it’s too late.  Fans also took notice of the off the court work by the team as recognized in a recent “Letter to the Editor” in the Times-Picayune.

Remember – time is something that we take for granted.  But as this story teaches us – for a child with a critical illness time is something to be valued.  If you know of a child like this who would like to have a wish granted please contact us today!

2 of America’s biggest stars come together to benefit local Louisiana charities including A Child’s Wish.

The Shaquille O’Neal and Reggie Bush Celebrity Charity Challenge & After Party took place in New Orleans during NBA All-Star Weekend on Friday, February 15, 2008.

Bush was joined by NFL players, NBA players, and other celebrities in an effort to raise money for the 619 Fund which will grant money to various causes in New Orleans including A Child’s Wish, the Father T Foundation, Catholic Charities, and the Crescent House (a women’s abuse shelter Reggie will be building this coming year).

A former LSU graduate and future Hall-of-Famer, O’Neal holds Louisiana close to his heart.  He showed that immediately following Hurricane Katrina by personally going down to the city’s ravaged areas and collecting everything from furniture, toiletries, clothes and other items to help storm victims.

“This whole weekend is about people being in New Orleans for New Orleans,” said O’Neal. “We wanted to show people coming together, celebrating what has been done and remembering that there’s still a lot to do. We also wanted to provide a way for people to contribute to what is happening here with the confidence that their money will get to the people who need it.”

Bush’s commitment to the city was evident shortly after he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints. Not only has he personally donated thousands of dollars to the community, but he has also urged his national sponsors to join in.

“This is a great city with great people,” said Bush. “With the corporate and media attention that New Orleans will get during the NBA All-Star game, I wanted to make sure that there was a focus on helping the people that will be here when the parties and games are over. We’re hoping that companies see this as a fun way to get involved with the progress that is happening here. From sponsoring a team to simply making a charitable donation, there are many ways for people to make a difference.”

The Reggie Bush Celebrity Charity Challenge featured live music, food, drinks, and a pool tournament in which two celebrities will take on corporate teams for a chance to win great prizes.  A live auction followed the tournament and included unique and one-of-a-kind items and experiences.

The Reggie Bush After Party directly followed the Celebrity Charity Challenge in an adjoining ballroom.  The after party was spun by a nationally recognized DJ and featured entertainment from one of the country’s hottest performers.