2009-10-30 17:01:36 - The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southern Florida is still trying to grant wishes to children fighting life-threatening conditions but needs the help of the community in these tough economic times.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southern Florida is seeking help from individuals, business owners, organizations and community leaders of Lee, Collier, Hendry, and Glades counties to fulfill the wishes of local children with life-threatening medical conditions.

“Although the plea comes on the heels of one of the worst economic times, we find people still want to give. We are asking the

community to become involved right away to grant children’s wishes in a timely fashion. Once you decide to help, whether it is as a volunteer, becoming a wish sponsor or working on an event, you begin to experience the inner happiness that granting a wish can bring,” said Norman Wedderburn, President and CEO of the Southern Florida chapter.

Wedderburn hopes that people will be inspired to play a role in making wishes come true. Some examples include: 14-year-old Asia, who has a seizure disorder, wants to go to Discovery Cove to swim with the dolphins, 12-year-old Jashyria, who is afflicted with sickle cell anemia, simply wants seven days visiting Walt Disney World®; 15-year-old Jordan who wants to work with National Geographic as a photographer while battling a brain tumor; and 13-year-old Tiffany who has epilepsy, wants to meet the Jonas Brothers – these are just a few on the list.

ABOUT THE MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION:
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southern Florida grants wishes to children 2 ½ to 18 years old with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Twenty-five years of magic and more than 7,000 wishes later, the Foundation continues its mission to share the power of a wish® with ailing children. To find out more about volunteering, fundraising or becoming a wish sponsor for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida, please call 239-992-9474 or visit the website at www.sfla.wish.org.