“I wish to have an electronics shopping spree ”

     Wish Teen Isaac         Isaac & GameStop          GameStop's  Dan Turner, Mark

                                  Store Mgr. Dan Turner        Hennen, Chris Kolb and Isaac

Keeping up with trends is tough, especially when it comes to electronics. But fifteen-year-old Isaac is one teen who’s got it all.  Isaac, who battles the blood disorder sickle cell anemia, didn't have to think when the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Missouri asked about his greatest wish. With his love of music and other media, an electronics shopping spree was exactly what Issac wanted. The Make-A-Wish Foundation granted his wish with a surprise twist that made the whole experience even more special.

Isaac was happily escorted by Wish Granters to a GameStop store one day and invited to choose some video games. The Wish Granters told Isaac that the video game system, along with other electronics, wouldn’t be arriving for several days. But while he was at GameStop, Best Buy employees were at his house installing electronics such as a big screen TV, a Nintendo Wii and even an Ipod. His grateful parents were more than happy to assist in the surprise plan.

When Isaac arrived home, he was shocked and delighted to find a living room fully stocked with all the latest electronics. He and his family were very thankful, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation was more than happy to provide this lucky teen with hours of well-deserved fun.  And while recognizing the fun, Isaac's father says the wish is also a great way for Isaac to fuel his growing interest in electronics as a possible career.

We offer our great thanks to GameStop, which as a Make-A-Wish Partner has provided $70,000 in gift cards so electronics wishes like Issac's can come true!

"I wish to have a travel trailer."

     Derek and Midwest RV owners                              Derek shows off his new

             Bob and John Meyer                                                travel trailer keys

When school lets out and the weather gets warm, many kids go camping as the perfect summer pastime. Thirteen-year-old Wish Teen Derek of Ste. Genevieve is no different. For his entire life, he’s been passionate about the great outdoors, and has loved spending time there with his mom, dad and sister. But in order to go camping, he’s always had to borrow his grandparents' small camper.   So when the Wish Granters asked Derek what he’d like most, he knew right away – his very own travel trailer so he could have the freedom to camp whenever and wherever his family wanted.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Missouri got to work right away granting Derek’s special wish. For years Derek has been treated for a rare spinal condition, requiring multiple surgeries and considerable recuperation time. Due to this condition, he requires special amenities for camping - such as air-conditioning - that only a travel trailer can provide. With the help of Bob and John Meyer from Midwest RV, Make-A-Wish was able to obtain a brand new, fully equipped, 24-foot travel trailer just for Derek.

On Friday, June 6th, a thrilled Derek was presented the keys to his new travel trailer.   He and his family took off one week later for a weekend of camping in Meramec State Park. He’ll camp one more time before flying to New York for surgery at the end of June. The recuperation period from the surgery will be a month, but because of the travel trailer Derek can go camping during that time. His parents are delighted and deeply appreciative – they say that camping is the perfect way for Derek to have fun and bond with his family, away from hospitals and treatment. 

Now, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the help of Bob and John Meyer from Midwest RV in south St. Louis County, Derek can enjoy camping all summer long.

"I wish to have an electronic shopping spree "

Keeping up with trends is tough, especially when it comes to electronics. But 15-year-old Isaac is one kid who’s got it all.  When the Make-A-Wish Foundation® asked about his greatest wish, Isaac, who battles the blood disorder sickle cell anemia, knew just what to ask for. With his love of music and other media, an electronics shopping spree was exactly what Isaac wanted. The Make-A-Wish Foundation granted his wish with a surprise twist that made the whole experience even more special.

Isaac, a young man with a winning smile and a personality to match, was happily escorted by Wish Granters to a GameStop store one day and invited to choose some video games. The Wish Granters told Isaac that the video game system, along with other electronics, wouldn’t be arriving for several days. An excited Isaac didn’t think to question them. But while he was at GameStop, Best Buy employees were at his house installing electronics such as a big screen TV, a Nintendo Wii, and even an Ipod. His grateful parents were more than happy to assist in the surprise plan.

When Isaac arrived home, he was shocked and delighted to find his house was stocked full of all the latest electronics. He and his family were very thankful, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation was more than happy to provide this lucky teen with hours of well-deserved fun.

"I wish to have a Walmart shopping spree "

Her name is Angela, but the family of this 11 year old Wish Child usually shorten her name by a letter and call her Angel.  Two years ago, Angel was diagnosed with leukemia and underwent 7 months of chemotherapy.  The Sullivan, Missouri girl has come along way since then, and was full of energy when her Wish was granted on June 4th.

Like most girls, Angel loves to shop.  She wished for a shopping spree at Wal-Mart, and the associates at the Washington, Missouri, Wal-Mart Supercenter worked hard to help make this an extra special day.   When Angel and her family arrived in a limo, dozens of Wal-Mart employees held up a special banner and gave Angel a round of applause.  Angel responded with, what else, a curtsey.   Inside the store a special cart, complete with more than a dozen balloons, was waiting for her.

Angel definitely knows how to shop.  First stop—the electronics department where she picked out a couple of color TVs and VCRs.  Why more than one?  Her father explained, “Angel always thinks about other people.  She always wants to share.”  Then the shopping got serious, as Angel rushed over to the clothing department. It was hard to determine if she had more fun picking out the clothes or trying them on.  Angel wants to be a performer when she grows up, and after watching her model the clothes for Wal-Mart associates she seems destined for stardom.  Her final stop was the music department, where she picked out lots of CDs of her favorite country music stars.

With three shopping carts overflowing, Angel’s shopping spree came to an end.  The Wal-Mart associates escorted her out to the limo and then surprised her with a specially decorated cake.   After trading hugs with her new Wal-Mart friends, Angel made a silent wish and sent her balloons skyward. 

After that, the limo took Angela and her family to the second stop on their Wish adventure—a feast at the Ponderosa Steakhouse.  Ponderosa is a national sponsor of Make-A-Wish, and the restaurant walls were covered in Wish Stars when the honored guests arrived.  Ponderosa employees went far beyond the call of duty to make sure the entire dining experience was everything Angel hoped for, and more. 

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Missouri thanks Wal-Mart, Ponderosa, the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of New Haven and everyone who helped make Angel’s day a memorable one.