Clark-Moores Middle School student William White, 11, was given the chance to list two wishes. His number one wish was to meet Stephen Colbert from “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central, then meet the members of legendary rock band Led Zeppelin.
His mother, Jennifer White, was excited that his first wish came true, because the second wish was almost “impossible,” she said.
William battles synovial cell sarcoma, a cancer characterized by soft tissue tumors, and was granted his wish by the Make-A-Wish foundation with the help of Eastern Kentucky University’s Chi Omega sorority.
“We thought it was unlikely that this wish would be granted,” Jennifer said. “Then we found out that Chi Omega was sponsoring his wish. They (the sorority) work really, really hard and do great things. (William) was so excited that his first choice was going to come true.”
Stephen Colbert is William’s favorite actor.
“I watch ‘The Colbert Report’ whenever I can,” he said. “It’s one of my favorite shows, and he’s a really great guy. He’s funny in person and on TV.”
William was grateful for the sorority’s work to make his wish come true.
“I’ve very glad, because meeting Stephen Colbert is something you don’t do every day,” he said.
Seeing the smiles on the children’s faces is the most rewarding part for the sorority, said Stacey Kelly, community service advisor for the Chi Omega sorority.
“We couldn’t do it if it weren’t for local community members and local corporations that sponsor the event,” she said. “They make it possible for these wishes to be granted.”
The children whose wishes are granted are not the only ones who benefit from the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“It’s an absolutely wonderful experience not only for (the children), but for the college and the community. And it’s changed the children’s lives, there’s no questions about it,” Kelly said.
William’s positive attitude made him stand out to “Wish” volunteers, according to Mark Drennan, executive director of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
“When Make-A-Wish staff contacted Mr. Colbert’s representatives, they were very accommodating,” Drennan said.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is the national charity of the Chi Omega organization, which is the largest women’s fraternal organization in the world with over 300,000 initiates, more than 170 collegiate chapters and over 240 alumnae chapters.
The local Chi Omega organization raised $21,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation last year.
This year’s fundraiser, Walk For Wishes, will be hosted Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. at the EKU track. All proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
The annual event will feature prizes for participants raising the most money in the following categories: Madison County school children, county teachers and adult community members.
A free T-shirt will be ordered for each participant donating at least $100. Other events featured will be a silent auction, informational booths, food, music and other entertainment.
The EKU Alumni Coliseum concourse will be the rain location for the event. Call 661-3365 or send an e-mail to Courtney_Kinter@eku.edu for more information.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses and is the largest wish-granting organization in the world with 71 chapters in the United States, 23 international affiliates and more than 25,000 volunteers. About 135,000 wishes have been granted to sick children since the organization’s inception in 1980.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana is in its 25th year of operation. The chapter’s first wish was granted in 1984 and has since granted more than 6,300 wishes. The chapter is working to fulfill the wishes of more than 700 local children this year. Visit www.makeawishky.org for more information about how to help or become a volunteer.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.
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