Within one week’s time, during Catholic Schools Week, students at Our Lady of the Lake School were able to raise $2,091 to enable a four-year-old an Essex County girl who was diagnosed with a brain tumor to have the final dollars that will enable her to realize her one big wish
This spring, this girl and her family will be whisked away to Walt Disney World in Orlando. While there they will be staying at Give Kids the World Village, a special area near Disney reserved specifically for children who are recipients of a wish from the Make-A-Wish New Jersey Foundation. At the Village, Wish children are treated to amenities, such as late night ice cream service, a handicapped accessible pool and characters reading them bedtime stories, just to name a few. During their time in the parks, Wish children are treated like VIPs: They wear a special button and go straight to the front of the line on all the rides, shows, character meet-and-greets and other park attractions. Families also have the opportunity to visit Universal Studios and Sea World where their VIP treatment continues. This is just an example of what is possible for a child with such a wish.
Make-A-Wish New Jersey is given the opportunity to create memories and positive experiences for children and their families who need a positive boost to move forward in their battle with a serious medical condition or life-threatening illness. Our Lady of the Lake students made an amazing effort by collecting pennies on Monday, nickels on Tuesday, dimes on Wednesday, quarters on Thursday and dollars on Friday during Catholic Schools Week. They worked with teachers and staff to count coins, give daily tallies of amounts raised in order to increase the momentum and excitement of giving.
The students of Our Lady of the Lake School realized that Disney World would not have been possible for this family without their efforts of time, talent and treasure. Students learned that their time and dedication truly do make a difference in the lives of others. Lesson learned is to keep up the good work in all you do. Each person can make their own, and the dreams of others, come true with relentless hard work and dedication. It was a lesson well learned, in how to truly make a wish come true.
