Make A Wish

Retired --- looking for something rewarding to do with your spare time?

Then, how about becoming a WISH GRANTOR for the Make a Wish Foundation? It's a wonderful way to volunteer your time because you don't have to commit to one day a week. They offer free training and pair you with an experienced WISH GRANTOR for your first few visits.

I completed the training a few months ago and went out on my first "WISH" last weekend. It was fun to meet the young man, talk to him about his interests and what would be his fantasy "WISH". He wanted everything from meeting President Obama to playing basketball with Kobe Bryant.

He finally settled on going to the SUPERBOWL......so now it's up to the WISH granting team to pull some strings and make it happen!!

To find a local chapter, go to: http://www.wish.org/

MAKE A WISH

Last year when doing my state income taxes, I came up with a wild idea for the Colorado Make a Wish (MAW) Foundation -- why not get MAW put on the back of the Colorado tax return where a taxpayer can designate part of their refund for a charity?

I called the Director of Development about it and she thought it was a great idea because it was a new way to get contributions for the Make a Wish kids.

I got the ball rolling by contacting my State Representative last spring. She generously offered to help and after many meetings and hearings, it's actually happening! I'm so happy to report that the Bill will be signed next week by Governor Ritter. It's just so exciting for me because it proves the power that just one idea can have. It also demonstrates an alternate way that a person can contribute to their favorite charity because not all retirees have disposable income to give.

Right now, check the back of your state tax return!

Is there a section for charitable contributions? If so, and your favorite charity isn't there, then why not make that one call?

If you'd like to volunteer for the Make a Wish chapter in your area, go to: http://www.wish.org/

MAKE A WISH

Today I volunteered for the annual Frank's Ride for Children. It was rather ironic that my job was to serve pork to the famished riders because I don't eat meat! Over 1500 bikers paid $20 to enter the Poker Run with all the proceeds going to the Colorado Make a Wish Foundation.

The best part of the event was the arrival by motorcycle sidecar of 6 Wish Kids. They looked so cute in their autographed, custom-made helmets. They were so excited! Their joy was contagious and just so heartwarming. For more on the event: http://www.franksrideforchildren.org/

This week I also completed Wish Grantor training for MAW......so I'll get to meet with Wish Kids and their families to find out what their Wish is. I'm really looking forward to helping making their dreams come true.

In Retirement, most of us have more time than money, so why not donate some time? It's simple......especially if you want to work a special event. Just look up your favorite charity on the Internet, see what's happening this summer and call them!

Help Make a Wish!

When planning your next trip, please check out "Hotels Combined" at http://www.hotelscombined.com/

They have an ongoing Spread the Word for Charity project!
So also check out their site at

http://www.hotelscombined.com/Charity.aspx

Depending on how you spread the word, they will donate up to $20 to your favorite charity. Mine is Make a Wish -- so I hope you'll visit their site, give a shout out about their website on your Blog, Facebook page or Twitter and then ask that the donation be made to make a wish!

Thanks so much!

MAKE A WISH

Most of you know about the Make A Wish Foundation and their wonderful mission of granting wishes to children.

There's a great way that you can help them out this Holiday Season at no cost to you. While you're out shopping with your grandchildren please stop by your local MACY's store and look for the big red Believe Station Mailbox (usually it's displayed right in the main entrance).

There is a Believe Meter and a letter-writing station. Take a few minutes and have your grandkids write a letter to Santa. It'll be fun for them and for every letter sent to Santa, MACY's will donate $1 to the Make A Wish Foundation, up to $1,000,000!! It's an easy way to help out Make A Wish - so please stop by.

http://www.macysbelieve.com/#/Home?ga=MakeAWish