Our third annual walk was held next door to the Bow Lake Baptist Church, at the historical Waldron Store in Strafford, NH on Saturday, September 11th, 2010! The weather was beautiful – best year to date in that department!!! Again, there were over 200 walkers, family members, friends and sleepwalkers, to help us make wishes come true.
FLING continued to be our live entertainment! There were approximately 75 names read out loud during our angel remembrance ceremony and a rose was placed in vases for each angel’s name. Poems were read by Toni and Shannon (“Love, Mom” and “Instead of Saying Goodbye”), while songs were sung by Jody Gourlay (“The Dance” by Garth Brooks and “This Little Light of Mine”). There were many newly grieving parents who were touched by the sound of their child being honored.
Garrett (a NH Wish child), shared his incredible Wish with the crowd. As a young child Garrett was constrained to a wheelchair. In March of 2008 he opted to undergo Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, in hopes of regaining the ability of moving on his own. The surgery was a success!!! Garrett’s heartfelt Wish was rooted in taking his gift and paying it forward. He wished to visit Cambodia and give the freedom and pride back to those who had lost it. The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of NH sent Garrett and his family to Cambodia to distribute wheelchairs and give others the miracle of mobility. What an incredible story to hear, and a more amazing young man to meet.
Some fun facts include our most popular raffle basket with a 6-month membership to Bikram Yoga Portsmouth, along with an abundance of yoga accessories, Shannon was pregnant and due in late December, while Lee and Sarah were expecting any day to hear of the birth of the twin boys they were adopting.
Thanks to our sponsors, donors, walkers and volunteers, our third annual Angels Walk for Wishes raised over $33,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of NH®. The funds we raised helped to make the following 5 local wishes come true:
JORDANA, Wish to see the Jonas Brothers
ANDREW, Wish for a pool
SAM, Wish to go to Disney
EVAN, Wish to go to Disney
MONICA, Wish for a 15th birthday party
PICTURES OF THAT DAY ARE COMING SOON!
