Make-A-Wish New Mexico News:
For the first time in Make-A-Wish New Mexico’s 40-year history, it is working to grant two wishes to give back to the community at the same time, through the generosity of two wish kids.
When a child begins the wish-granting process, Make-A-Wish talks with them about five different areas to choose from.
Those five areas include:
- I wish to go;
- I wish to be;
- I wish to have;
- I wish to meet; and
- I wish to give.
A wish “to give” allows a child to pay their wish forward and do something for their community.
Two wish kids in New Mexico are choosing to give their wishes to organizations close to their hearts. First, 17-year-old Kyelyn from Las Cruces. Kyelyn’s wish is to purchase toys and entertainment supplies for the wing where he was treated at El Paso Children’s Hospital. Kyelyn has firsthand knowledge of how hard it is to spend countless days in the hospital, contained by four walls with little to no engagement from the outside world. Kyelyn wants to ensure that children treated in that same wing have access to fun toys and a variety of entertainment.
The next wish child is a 10-year-old, also from Las Cruces, who wishes to remain anonymous. Her wish is to provide equipment to All Seasons Adaptive Sports, who support other kids with physical and cognitive challenges to participate in sports. All Seasons Adaptive Sports is dedicated to breaking down barriers and providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities to experience the joy, freedom, and thrill of sports. The wish child has participated with them and personally experienced the power of their mission.
“At Make-A-Wish New Mexico, we believe that the power of a wish is more than a singular moment in time and this rings especially true for these two wishes. Their generosity will allow countless other children to experience joy through challenging times. We are humbled to be a part of their wishes to give back.” –Make-A-Wish New Mexico
The mission of Make-A-Wish is to grant life-changing wishes to children battling critical illnesses and to provide strength, hope and joy at a time when it is needed most. These wishes to give back will provide hope to entire communities.
These two incredible wishes are made possible through the generosity of the Jennifer Riordan Foundation. This is the 3rd “wish to” that the Jennifer Riordan Foundation has supported at Make-A-Wish New Mexico.
“These two wish kids are extraordinary for so many reasons and their desire to give back to their communities is very admirable. They will change so many lives through their generosity. We are also grateful, once again, to partner with the Jennifer Riordan Foundation on granting wishes,” said President & CEO Sara Lister of Make-A-Wish New Mexico. “I had the privilege of knowing and working with Jennifer for a number many years. She had a servant’s heart, and I am proud that we are able to be a part of her continued legacy to always be kind, loving, caring and sharing.”
“Make-A-Wish warms our heart in a very special way. When an amazing young person chooses to use their wish to give to others, we feel the ultimate power of Jennifer’s motto to always be kind, loving, caring, and sharing,” said President Michael Riordan of The Jennifer Riordan Foundation. “Thank you to these two beautiful kids and their families for inspiring us with the strength of their kindness.”
Make-A-Wish New Mexico is celebrating its 40th year of granting wishes in our state. It is fitting that these two wishes to give back will happen during this special year of celebrating life-changing wishes.
To learn more about how to support other life-changing wishes, visit www.newmexico.wish.org.
