Making Wishes Come True Documentation
About The Experience: This year I took part in the alternate break honors experience called Making Wishes Come True with thirteen of my fellow honors students. This week-long experience was led by two honors advisors, Jessica King and Erin Alanson. We traveled to Kissimmee, Florida to volunteer at Give Kids the World, a non-profit organization that fulfills the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses by offering their families and them cost-free lodging to visit Central Florida attractions. Before traveling we attended two meetings: one that provided general information and the other a pre-departure meeting. We also participated in two readings that gave the group a foundation about Give Kids the World, and background knowledge about the organization's history to prepare us for our volunteering experiences. While in Kissimmee, a normal day was comprised of a morning shift volunteering at Give Kids the World, followed by free time and a daily group meeting and discussion session, and ending with an evening volunteer shift. Each day during the trip we were required to answer a prompt in order to assist us in reflecting on our day's experiences. The Making Wishes Come True Honors Experience took me and my fellow honors students outside of the classroom setting and gave us an opportunity to make an impact on the lives of children with life-threatening illnesses and their families through volunteer work that helps Give Kids the World function and carry out planned activities. Through Give Kids the World and our volunteer work, seriously ill children and their families are given the opportunity to feel normal and stress-free and not have to worry about expenses....
2014 BIG Wish Gala
When: March 14, 2014
Where: Music Hall on 1241 Elm Street
What It Is: The BIG Wish Gala is an event hosted by the Make A Wish Foundation that allows individuals in the Cincinnati area to support and experience the joy, strength, and hope that wishes grant to children with life threatening medical illnesses. There were talks from families and individuals whom the Make a Wish Foundation served, a sit down dinner, and silent and live auction.
What I Did: I assisted guests in registering for the silent auction via cell phone, showed-off a dog to guests that was auctioned at the event, and helped clean up.
What I Learned: I began my participation in the Making Wishes Come True Honors Experience at the BIG Wish Gala. I gained insight on the mission and individuals the Make a Wish Foundation Serves as well as had the chance to begin to bond with some of the individuals who will be traveling to Florida with me this April.
Where: Music Hall on 1241 Elm Street
What It Is: The BIG Wish Gala is an event hosted by the Make A Wish Foundation that allows individuals in the Cincinnati area to support and experience the joy, strength, and hope that wishes grant to children with life threatening medical illnesses. There were talks from families and individuals whom the Make a Wish Foundation served, a sit down dinner, and silent and live auction.
What I Did: I assisted guests in registering for the silent auction via cell phone, showed-off a dog to guests that was auctioned at the event, and helped clean up.
What I Learned: I began my participation in the Making Wishes Come True Honors Experience at the BIG Wish Gala. I gained insight on the mission and individuals the Make a Wish Foundation Serves as well as had the chance to begin to bond with some of the individuals who will be traveling to Florida with me this April.