Wish Kids’ wishes came true along with their special trees on Thursday morning.
Hosted by Make-A-Wish, “Trees of Joy” is a fundraising event that presents a wonderful holiday tree experience to Wish Kids suffering from severe diseases in London and surrounding areas.
Corporate partners design and unveil custom holiday trees for children through this event and the custom holiday trees will be delivered to each family’s home at the end of the event.
Kinslee’s Tree (Credit: Emily Kim/XFM News)
This event includes not only custom trees, but also Make-A-Wish’s support to grant children’s wishes.
Among those taking part, 9-year-old Kinslee liked the saddle the most among her holiday tree decorations.
Kinslee answered what her wish was.
“Disneyland,” said Kinslee.
Kloe, Lacey, Kinslee (Credit: Emily Kim/XFM News)
Finally, Kinslee’s wish came true.
Kinslee’s family travelled down to the Sunshine State to enjoy a week-long stay at Give Kids The World Village, a resort for children with critical illnesses.
Kinslee has heart condition, and Kinslee’s mother Lacey said she was incredibly grateful for this experience and Kinslee’s wish trip experience.
“The whole Make-A-Wish experience has been so great for our family. It’s showed the strength we have together as a family to get through the trying times,” said Lacey. “And it’s just been a bit of a bright light. Something to look forward to in the trying times.”
Marcus’ Tree (Credit: Emily Kim/XFM News)
11-year-old Marcus loved all the decorations in his holiday tree.
His father Adrian said it was an honour to be with him at this event.
“I mean, just as an added icing on the cake for the Christmas holidays as we near, to have such a wonderful tree put together by the wonderful group of teams supporting us and our family and amongst all the other families here today. It just adds that extra Christmas spirit going into the holidays,” said Adrian.
Marcus has leukemia and his wish was to go to Disney World.
“Because it’s very big, I’ve never been there before.”
Now, Marcus’ wish came true, too. His family recently went on a trip to Disney World in Florida.
“My wish was to go to Disney World, and I loved it there.”
Adrian, Marcus, Cindy, Mason (Credit: Emily Kim/XFM News)
His mother Cindy said that she was thanks for making all the wishes happen for all the children with illnesses and especially her son Marcus.
“From everything, like all the stress, it’s been stress-free with our trip and then coming here with their Christmas tree, it makes them feel happy inside and what they do for all the kids all over,” added Cindy.
At Make-A-Wish, they support the mental health and wellness of children and families facing the devastation of childhood critical illness. Also, they do this through the play-based intervention of a wish.
Make-a-Wish Canada CEO Meaghan Stovel-McKnight said that the event goes beyond just a fundraiser and is an important activity.
“But we receive no government funding. So, events like this help us raise money so that we can reach every eligible child that is referred to us here in London and beyond,” said Stovel-McKnight.
Stovel-McKnight also described the most moving moment for her at this event.
Meaghan Stovel-McKnight (Credit: Emily Kim/XFM News)
“For me, I think the most magical moment of Trees of Joy is when we open the doors, and the parade of wish kids and families comes into the ballroom, where all of our corporate and community partners are applauding and cheering for them,” said Stovel-McKnight. “It reminds them that they are seen and supported by their community when they are going through their journey with critical illness.”
Lastly, she explained the Make-A-Wish’s fundraising goal through the event.
“On average, we get about 2,000 referrals a year, and we have 3,700 kids waiting across Canada. Right here in Ontario, there are 1,200 kids waiting for a wish. So, our fundraising goal is to grant the wish of every eligible child, and we need everyone to get on board to help us with that.”
Anyone who wishes to contribute to Make-a-Wish Canada can do so at makeawish.ca
