Make-A-Wish Foundation Recognition Dinner

Last night I had a great opportunity to see old coworkers, friends, and meet some new people! It was the recognition dinner for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Vermont. I worked and interned there during my junior year and each year they have this dinner to celebrate donors and volunteers. Even though I am done working there, I remain actively involved through volunteering at events. In fact, our next big event is the Great Cookie Dunk! If you like cookies (Tipped Cow Cookies is our sponsor) than you should mark this date on your calendar. The idea is to get in the guiness book of world records for the most amount of people dunking cookies in milk at the same time. It will be a part of Kids' Day in Burlington which is May 12, 2012. It will be at the waterfront in Burlington, and it should be a really great time. The former CEO sad that he hopes it will be "as big as the fourth of July!" (Anyone who's been in Burlington on the Fourth of July knows how crowded it is!) It will be a great part of Kids' Day. Plus, be sure to look for our float in the Mardi Gras Parade on March 3rd! We will be advertising for the cookie dunk and I'll be giving out pins advertising the event to everyone.

There were a few surprises during the night! At the start, there was a slideshow and then a bunch of the wish families came in which was really great to recognize them. I learned last night that last year there were 22 wishes granted during the entire year last year. So far this year there have been 17 wishes granted! Their goal this year is fifty! I was also reminded that the Make-A-Wish chapter of Vermont is one of the most successful chapters in the entire United States. This is because they are always able to pay for every eligible child that comes their way. They have never turned a child away if they were eligible. To me, this is an amazing thing to be able to say for such a small state. It's also astounding when you think that the average wish costs around $10,000. Yet a child's life is changed forever. Last night was very emotional at times because one of the wish children was getting very emotional when he was reflecting on his trip to Disney World (which is 40% of the wishes). It was so touching to see a five-year-old be so overwhelmed with emotion and knowing that everyone in the room helped in some way. Last night they honored about 150 volunteers and donors. In my opinion, they are some of the most inspiring and kind people in Vermont! What a great night.