Shoppers at Something Old Something New in Iroquois, have been dropping coins in a donation jar kept near the cash checkout by Thrift Store owner Laurie Turriff….and now that money will be used to help grant a wish to a child living in Eastern Ontario with a life-threatening medical condition.
Thursday, November 20, Turriff turned over a cheque for $800 to Make-A-Wish, Eastern Ontario Canada’s Mike Wlotzki, Director, Fund Development.
Something Old Something New customers contributed $400 to the jar and this was matched by Turriff.
“That is a lot of wrapping coin,” said Wlotzki as he accepted the cheque. “That is beautiful.”
Turriff explains that the ‘donation jar’ is always in its place in her shop located in the Iroquois Shopping Plaza.
“When I get up to $300 to $400, I match it and make the donation. When that is done, it starts over, and I find the next organization that helps kids with cancer. This is all thanks to my customers. Already we have raised $20 for the next donation.”
The Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario area stretches from Ottawa to Cornwall, west to Belleville and north to Peterborough said Wlotzki.
“We are very proud to say we have granted 66 wishes in 2014,” said Wlotzki.
With 60 wishes completed in 2013, and the goal for 2014 set at 65, Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario has reason to be proud.
Chief Executive Officer for Eastern Ontario, Tanya Desjardins points out in a Make-A-Wish publication that, “these wishes are not possible without the support through donations, sponsorship and awareness. From travel wishes to Disney and London, to room make overs and “man fan caves”, to meeting Sidney Crosby and One Direction and to hot tubs and computers…the list of creative unique and special wishes keeps on growing. This year is a historical one as we granted our 500th wish to a 15-year-old boy….”
Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario does not solicit wishes. All children who receive their wishes are referred by family, friends, medical personnel or social workers. Any child with a life-threatening medical condition, from three years to not yet 18, may be referred.
Once the family is aware of the referral, Make-A-Wish, verifies the child’s medical condition with his/her doctor.
The fun begins with the child making three wishes which can be…. “I wish to be, I wish to have, I wish to meet, or I wish to go…..
Once this is accomplished Make-A-Wish goes to work on making a wish come true.
“If there is anyone who thinks there may be a child, they can go to our website to the “refer a child” section,” says Wlotzki. “We are always looking for a Wish Child.”
“It’s a lot of work, but it is very magical.”
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