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.
Local News
Local child’s ‘wish’ comes true
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Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
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Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
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Arlington Country Club, which has been a staple of Eastern Kentucky University for the past 40 years, laid off all dining staff late last week, according to Tom Coffey of the EKU Foundation.
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About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
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Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.” -
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
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For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. - More Local News Headlines
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