A boy who inspired a Nation!
Welcome back!
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® traces its beginning to one boy’s wish. In 1980, 7-year-old
Chris Greicius
was being treated for leukemia. Every day, he dreamed of becoming a police officer.
U.S. Customs Officer Tommy Austin had befriended Chris and his mother, Linda Bergendahl-Pauling. He also promised Chris a ride in a police helicopter. When Chris’ health worsened, Austin contacted Ron Cox, an Arizona Department of Public Safety officer, and planned a day that would lift Chris’ spirits.
On April 29, 1980, Austin and a caring group of DPS personnel started Chris’ day with a tour of the city in a department helicopter, which also flew him to headquarters. Three cruisers and a motorcycle officer greeted him before his meeting with the DPS command staff. There, Chris was sworn in as the first honorary DPS patrolman in state history.
But his experience didn’t stop there. Cox contacted John’s Uniforms, which agreed to make a custom-tailored DPS uniform for Chris. The store owner and two seamstresses worked through the night to finish it. The officers presented the official uniform to Chris on May 1 and arranged a motorcycle proficiency test so he could earn wings to pin on his uniform. Needless to say, Chris passed the test with flying colors on his battery-operated motorcycle.
On May 2, Chris was back in the hospital. He asked to arrange the room so he could always see his uniform, his motorcycle helmet and his “Smokey Bear”-style campaign hat. DPS motor officer Frank Shankwitz presented Chris with his motorcycle wings. He accepted them with a smile that lit up the room.
The following day, Chris passed away, but not before seeing his dream come true and experiencing the hope, strength and joy that came from receiving his wish.
Chris was to be buried in Kewanee, Ill. DPS spokesman Allan Schmidt promised that two Arizona officers would make the trip to Illinois to say goodbye to Chris. Scott Stahl, a DPS officer and Joliet, Ill., native, joined Frank Shankwitz on the poignant mission.
They saw how happy Chris was knowing his wish came true, and that the wish seemed to take some of Chris and Linda’s pain away – replacing the anguish with smiles and laughter. They thought that if one boy’s wish could create such happiness, maybe they could do the same for other children. They presented the plan to the people who helped grant Chris’ wish. Linda and others endorsed the plan. Thus, the Chris Greicius Make-A-Wish Memorial – which later became known as the Make-A-Wish Foundation – the largest wish-granting organization in the world.
What started out as making one child’s dream come true; today, Make-A-Wish had granted over 181 thousands wishes.
To make a donation go to Make-A-Wish.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
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Hi Giovanna,
Just revisited the Make-A-Wish website and it read it the Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes! That’s incredible!
Chris’ story is so touching and a true example of the great capacity of love we all possess. And how we single-handedly CAN make a difference in the lives of others.
Thank you for sharing this.
Many Blessings….
Roxanne and Hugo
Believe Achieve
[...] A boy who inspired a nation [...]
It’s always great to see people’s wishes come true.
I hit the site and I was glad to see that it’s also possible to donate time and talent. I was surprised though that there’s no way to browse everybody’s wishes. It seems to me in a Web 2.0 world that browsable wishes would encourage more people to make wishes happen.
Wow! This just goes to show that little people can do BIG things. Great story!
I never knew how it all began! What an amazing story and organization. This story illustrates so well how an act of selfLESSness can ignite the same in others.
Thank you Giovanna,
One person with an idea can change the world and make it a better place. For all those out there that say “I am only one person what can I do?” This can give you some ideas. If we all had our thinking caps on about what we can do a lot more would get done. Have a good day everyone.
Dan and Deanna “Marketing Unscrambled”
Hi Gio .. I think he started a movement world wide .. and it’s so wonderful that he was able to have his dream .. I bet he went on his way with a huge smile on his face, and lots of stories to tell the other kids on the other side ..
Good for him .. and thanks for sharing
All the best - Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Insipirational Stories
Hi Hugo & Roxanne
Yes, we can all make a difference for someone.
Thanks for your comment and sharing your thoughts.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Aciton
Hi J.D.
Thanks for your comment and support.
May be someone can donate their talent to fix Make-A-Wish’s website.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Aciton
Hi Positively Present
Not one person is too small to make an impact.
Thanks for your comment and joining the conversation.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Aciton
Hi Keith
Cheers to more selflessness!
Yes, Make-A-Wish does awesome things.
Thanks for your comment and sharing your thoughts.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Aciton
Hi Deanna
to make a change and the rest will follow.
That is right, all we need it ONE PERSON
Thanks for your comment and being a part of this post.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Aciton
Hi Hilary,
Thanks for your comment and support.
I love the way, you say things. You touch my heart.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Aciton
Hi Gio ..thanks for that .. appreciate your comments - always .. see you soon .. well talk/email etc ..
have a good day ..
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
[...] Foundation® traces its beginning to one boy’s wish. In 1980, 7-year-oldimperfectaction.com, A boy who inspired a Nation!, Aug [...]
[...] Foundation® traces its beginning to one boy’s wish. In 1980, 7-year-oldimperfectaction.com, A boy who inspired a Nation!, Aug [...]