Low country boil event helps grant wishes

September 16, 2018 | 4:26 pm

Updated September 16, 2018 | 4:26 pm

This was the second annual Boilin' in the Boro to benefit Make-A-Wish. | Photo by AP Imagery

Supporters of the Kentucky Chapter of Make-A-Wish gathered at Reid’s Orchard on Saturday, Sept. 15, to enjoy a low country boil and meet some children who have been grated wishes through the organization.

The 2nd Annual Boilin’ in the Boro was organized by a group of local volunteers chaired by Robynn Clark of Owensboro and Independence Bank headlined a long list of community-minded sponsors.

The event was well-attended and accomplished its goals of making more people aware of the Make-A-Wish mission, thanking supporters and raising funds to grant more wishes.

A few of the children introduced at the event are still waiting for their wish to be granted, including 7-year-old Brady who was scheduled to depart the following morning. According to his mother, Brady’s wish was to travel to Disney World. “He responds best to auditory things,” she said. “He especially likes the sound of Mickey’s voice.”

Brady’s brother Chase, 14, was granted his wish to visit Sesame Street to meet Elmo seven years ago. “They got to get into Oscar’s trashcan,” his mother said. The family starred in a special 3-minute episode taped for them.

Mallory, 17, shared how excited she was as an 8-year-old granted her wish to meet all the Disney princesses at Disney World. Dylan, 12, has already had his wish to go to Lego Land granted while his twin, Kyle, is waiting for his Disney Cruise wish to be fulfilled.

Before they addressed the crowd, Anna, 6, and Lily, 6, enjoyed dancing together to the music provided by Andy Brasher.

Anna’s wish to go to Disney World had already been granted. She said she most enjoyed “the Harry Potter ride.”

Lily’s granted wish was also a trip to Disney World and she was excited to report about meeting Minnie Mouse and enjoying the Dumbo ride. Lily’s favorite thing about her trip was meeting the princesses. Her favorite princess? “All of them!” she said.

Cynthia Schadler volunteers with her friend Lori Brubaker as a wish granter for Make-A-Wish.

“Wish granters visit with the families and stay in touch as coordinators work on fulfilling the child’s wish,” Schadler said. “Once their wish gets fulfilled you do a little reveal party.”

According to Gary Emmick, past chair for the Make-A-Wish Kentucky Chapter, 150 wishes were granted by the organization last year.

“That’s the good news,” he said. “But there are still 350 children waiting for their wish.”

The organization grants wishes to children with a critical or life threatening illness. The entire family is included in the wish to allow everyone a respite from medical tests and treatment and give siblings a chance to reconnect.

Emmick estimates that each wish, although they can each be very different, costs the organization about $8,000.

“Last year funds from this event granted about eight wishes,” said Emmick. “This year, we would like to grant 10 wishes.”

To see attendee pictures of the event search #Boilin4wishes on all social media platforms.

To get involved with Make-A-Wish or make a secure online donation, contact Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana through their website at oki.wish.org. You can follow them on Facebook or Twitter (@makeawishohkyin).

September 16, 2018 | 4:26 pm

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