We were blessed to have Payton and her family join us at last year’s banquet. She is so cute and her one wish was to go to Hawaii with her family and swim with the Dolphins. The family also enjoyed the relaxation of walking the beach and collecting sea shells.

 

In addition to granting Payton’s wish, Chad Blum Charities granted Emily her wish of going to a Washington Capitals game and meeting all the players. They had a luxurious limo take them to the game, went on a personal tour of the locker room and rubbed elbows with some tall players.

When five year old Ethen learned we were granting his wish, it was no surprise when he chose to go to Disney World and Lego Land. He and his family enjoyed a week of food, rides, parades and a big break from the routine of visiting doctors and hospitals.

Mason is a typical six-year-old boy from Forest Hill, Maryland. He loves to play MarioKart, go fishing and eat chocolate cake. Above all is Mason’s love for SpongeBob Squarepants and swimming. When Mason learned that Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic would grant him his own special wish, no one was surprised that he chose to go on a Nickelodeon® Cruise.

Mason’s wish-granting volunteers, Juli Anderson and Susan Harrison, threw Mason a Spongebob-themed send-off party before he and his family took off to Miami, Florida. The family sailed on the Norwegian Epic ship, complete with an Aqua Park, climbing walls and a kids’ center for five days.

 

The stops on the ships included the beautiful beaches of St. Maarten Island and the breath-taking harbors of St. Thomas Island. Mason’s family was blown away by the spectacular shopping and fun they had in Nassau, the home of Blackbeard the Pirate.

Mason is a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. His simple wish “to go on a cruise ship with a big slide and see Spongebob” was fulfilled. The joy that his wish brought to his family is indescribable and priceless. Although the family may not be on the cruise forever, they will always cherish the memories of the fantastic time they had together sailing across the Bahamas.

Through your support last year, we helped to make Foster and Robert’s wishes come true! Twelve-year-old Foster is from Gwynn Oak, MD and his favorite thing in the world is wrestling. Foster and his family attended the 25th Anniversary of Wrestle-Mania in Houston, TX. In addition to attending the big event, Foster was inducted into the WWE/Make-A-Wish® Circle of Champions.

Robert is a 15-year-old music lover from Forest Hill, MD. His wish was to have a Gibson SG’61 re-issue electric guitar and equipment to create a guitar recording studio. That is just what he received, along with an iMac computer with recording software, a microphone, headphones, and amp. Each wish provides a diversion from hospital visits and medical treatments and enriches the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

Twelve-year-old Foster is from Gwynn Oak, MD and his favorite thing in the world is wrestling. Foster and his family attended the 25th Anniversary of Wrestle-Mania in Houston, TX. In addition to attending the big event, Foster was inducted into the WWE/Make-A-Wish® Circle of Champions.

 

Robert is a 15-year-old music lover from Forest Hill, MD. His wish was to have a Gibson SG’61 re-issue electric guitar and equipment to create a guitar recording studio. That is just what he received, along with an iMac computer with recording software, a microphone, headphones, and amp.

Each wish provides a diversion from hospital visits and medical treatments and enriches the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

Seventeen year old Amanda is from Clarksville and all she wanted was to redecorate her room in a tropical theme so she could relax in her much-needed retreat.

 

Andrew is thirteen years old and lives in Westminster. Andrew loves the beach and we sent his family to St John in the Virgin Islands. His family enjoyed fishing, boating, kayaking and snorkeling during their week stay.

When 15-year-old Philip from Hyattsville, Md. found out he was eligible receive a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, he asked to go on a Caribbean cruise with his family. Their trip was full of surprises, the first one being the limo that was sent to their house to escort them to the airport! Once they were aboard the ship, the adventures really began. Their shore excursions included zip lining in Jamaica, a Mayan trail hike, and underwater nautilus tour and parasailing. With all of these exciting activities, they were also able to squeeze in some down time to kickback and relax on the beach.

 

Katie, an 8-year-old girl from Man-chester, Md. battles an illness that does not al-low her to ride a traditional bike. When she found out she could have a wish granted by the Make-A-Wish foundation, Katie asked for a special bike that she would be able to ride Katie’s new bike was revealed at her wish party, while she was surrounded by friends and family. The shiny purple bike came complete with a water bottle holder. After Katie had her pink helmet strapped on tight, she was ready to roll! She was so excited go to on her first ride, and smiled the entire time.

Eight-year-old Darrien from Baltimore, MD suffers from a life-threatening medical condition. More than anything, he wants to be just like all the other kids in the neighborhood. So, for Darrien’s greatest wish, he chose to have his very own play set. He even got to pick out exactly what he wanted on the set; a huge slide, monkey bars, and swings. Ever since it was installed, at all hours of the day, you can find Darrien in his backyard playing on it! Click here to view a picture and a personal message from Darrien.

 

Sixteen-year-old Adrian from Temple Hills, MD has always wanted to walk into a mall and get anything and everything he wanted. So when he met with volunteers from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, it was an easy decision to go on a shopping spree for his greatest wish. He chose to go to Annapolis mall with his family and in addition, wanted to invite a special guest. Adrian’s mentor and good family friend lives in Chicago, IL. So as a special addition to his wish, the Foundation flew Adrian’s mentor to Maryland to join Adrian on his wish. Adrian, his family, and mentor were picked up early one morning in a limousine and taken to Annapolis Mall. Adrian spent the whole day picking out everything his heart desired, including a computer, clothes, and shoes. At the end of the day, he was thrilled to have gone on his first shopping spree and to have shared it with so many special people in his life. Click here to view a picture of Adrian.

Billy, 15, from Columbia, loves to watch the History Channel and especially anything to do with WWII. Therefore, it was no surprise when he was asked what his one special wish would be, that he wished for a trip to Hawaii and to tour Pearl Harbor. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. sent Billy, his parents and his sister on an all expenses paid trip to Hawaii, where among many other activities, Billy was given a personal tour of Pearl Harbor. While at Pearl Harbor, Billy got to speak with a WWII vet who was also visiting and they had their picture taken together. The experience was truly a dream come true for Billy.

 

While Victoria, 11, of Howard County, was spending a lot of time in the hospital, she was watching many home design shows which ultimately gave her the idea for her special wish. Victoria wished to have her room redecorated, after a consultation with an interior decorator. Victoria was ready for a “teenager’s” room, rather than the “babyish” room she had. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. had Victoria consult with a designer and then redecorated her room including, flooring, painting, lighting, furniture and accessories. Victoria now is excited to invite her friends for sleepovers and she expressed that the results were better than she could have hoped for.

Ten year-old Kara, from Carroll County, wished for a family trip to Disney World. Kara wanted to meet some of her favorite characters, such as Goofy and Lilo & Stitch. Of course, she also wanted to go on all of the rides and see fireworks. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc., sent Kara, her parents and her brother and sister for an all expenses paid vacation to Give Kids the World Village in Florida, where they received a seven day, six night stay, including Park tickets to Walt Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios Park. Among many fun and exciting things, Kara got to meet her favorite characters and go on all of the rides she could imagine.

Seventeen year-old Kim, from Howard County, wished for “sun and fun” and for her that meant a “girls” trip to California, including her mom, Aunt and best friend. Kim visited DisneyLand, Universal Studios (where she got a back lot tour), had a special character breakfast with Chip & Dale (which she thought sounded like a lot of fun), and on one of her free days got to spend the day at Venice Beach, the “highlight” of the trip. For Kim, her California Adventure was truly a wish come true.

For eight year-old Steven, playing on the beach, swimming, and diving are a way of life. It makes sense, then, when asked what he would like for a wish that he chose to go to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. Steven’s wish trip allowed him to spend quality time with his family, in a spectacular island setting, and take his mind off of hospitals and medical treatments.

 

Three year-old Gillian loves going to the park, so it was no surprise to her parents when she wished for her very own custom Rainbow playground in her backyard. Thanks to your help, her dream will come true.

Sixteen year Marc had a dream of being an architect. Marc received a new computer with architecture software and spends hours every day working towards his dream.

Like most 13 year-old girls, Michelle loves shopping. Michelle’s greatest wish was to shop till she dropped. After a stretched limo ride and a day of shopping at Tyson’s Corner, Michelle said, “I had an awesome time and it is definitely a memory I will never forget.”

Lisa, 11 yrs old of Frederick, MD – Her wish is to watch an episode of ER being filmed and meet the cast of actors. Travel date TBD.

 

Monique “Olivia”, 7 yrs old of Bowie, MD – Her wish is go on a 7-night Disney Cruise. She hopes to see dolphins, get a massage and spend time alone on the trip with just her mom and dad. Travel in January.

Kenneth “KJ”, 18 yrs old of Silver Spring, MD – His wish is to travel to New Zealand with his mother and step-father. While there, he would like to do some day hiking, black-water rafting trip and bungee jumping. Travel in December.

Seven year old John, from Harford County, wished for a swimming pool just like his grandmother and grandfather had. John loves sports and since he was diagnosed with a life threatening conditions, which caused him to go legally blind, swimming is the only sport that John can participate in. John loves to swim and is taking swimming lessons. Before he got his pool, John felt left out of sports activities but now his mom says, he loves his pool and never wants to get out.

 

Eleven year old Shanell, from Baltimore, who is fighting a life-threatening illness, loves to shop and has always dreamed of going to N.Y. and visiting designer shops and seeing the sights. Shannell’s wish came true when she and her family were sent to New York City for a shopping spree and the added treat of attending MTV’s Total Request Live.

$5,000 has been donated, on behalf of Chad Blum Memorial Charities, to the American Red Cross for disaster relief efforts in Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York.

Seven-year-old Zane from Silver Spring had his wish come true when he traveled to Disney World in November. Zane and his family were treated to a six-day, five-night adventure in the Magic Kingdom.

 

Fifteen-year-old James from Baltimore City wished for a shopping spree and was treated to an incredible day of spending at a local mall where he bought tons of clothes and a Nintendo PlayStation.

Eleven-year-old Gregory, from Ellicott City, also had his wish granted which was to go on a seven-day Disney Cruise in the Caribbean.

Ten-year-old Danny’s wish was to meet his hero, Dallas Cowboy quarterback Troy Aikman. He and the rest of his Frederick family spent a week in Texas with some extra special time being spent with Troy.

 

Because these children cannot personally thank all those who made their wishes possible, please accept our appreciation and know that your thoughtfulness will allow a special child’s dream to come true as well as provide wonderful and lasting memories for his entire family. You’ve done a wonderful thing and should be proud of it. We hope you’ll be a part of this cause for a long time. Again, accept our many thanks and wishes for a great summer.