Helping Make Christmas Wishes Come True For Sick Oklahoma Children

It's the time of year when kids make all kinds of wishes, but some take on a special meaning, like those made by children with life-threatening illnesses. The Make A Wish Foundation needs some extra

Wednesday, November 29th 2006, 10:25 am

By: News On 6

It's the time of year when kids make all kinds of wishes, but some take on a special meaning, like those made by children with life-threatening illnesses. The Make A Wish Foundation needs some extra help this year and to lend a hand, all you have to do is go shopping.

News on 6 reporter Heather Lewin explains.

"They are in and out of the hospital, in and out of doctors offices and they go through treatments, they go through surgeries and they lose such a huge part of their childhood." Jane Rohweder says that is what the Make A Wish Foundation hopes to give back.

From trips to Disneyland to meeting celebrities, the kids share their biggest hopes and the foundation makes it happen. â€œA wish really gives that child something to look forward to other than his next hospital treatment."

With their gift room running low, coordinators were looking for some help. That's when they found out that local workers at one of the nation's best known clothing stores had a wish of their own.

Gap store manager Jennifer Henry: â€œWe found out that Make A Wish was really needing extra resources this Christmas they said they've had quite a few different children over the last couple of years that drained their resources."

All three Tulsa Gap stores will be special drop off sites this December. Customers can purchase gift cards or make other donations. For Henry, organizing this effort isn't just part of her job, it's personal. "My junior year in high school, Make A Wish sent my family to Disney World. My little brother had a brain tumor and so we got to see first hand not only what Make a Wish does for the child but how it impacts the family as well."

Henry says the Gap picks a different charity every year as a way to really be a part of the local community. â€œWith so many people walking through our doors, if every person just gave one dollar or one toy or just bought one gift card, the impact that would make is huge."

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma made 95 wishes come true last year.