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Making wishes come true
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Posted on Jan 22 2001
In its effort to make more children with life threatening diseases happy by granting their wishes, the Make-A-Wish Foundation chapter based in Guam will hold its second gala dinner here in Saipan on Feb. 3 at the Diamond Hotel ballroom.
First Lady Sophie Tenorio and Marianas Visitors Authority Board Chair Dave M. Sablan, who are board members of the foundation, hope to raise $25,000 during the event.
Since Ms. Tenorio and Mr. Sablan joined the board in 1999, Make-A-Wish Foundation has helped make three children on island laugh and smile amid the pain that they are going through.
Christopher Indalecio, 16, went to Disney World in Florida. A consistent honor student at Marianas High School, Christopher also had a reunion with relatives in Florida.
Four-year-old Jaimelyn Cepeda was reunited with two brothers who were brought to Hawaii with their grandmother on Thanksgiving Day. Jaimelyn was in Hawaii at that time for treatment. They were all brought to the Ronald McDonald Village in Honolulu for a day of fun.
Ann Margaret Tenorio, 16, was given a complete home computer system so she can do her homework and research without having to walk from her neighborhood to the library.
Children with life threatening illnesses between the ages two-and-a-half and 18 years are qualified to join the program, according to Mary Sanchez, president of Make-A-Wish Foundation Guam. The child’s wish can fall into four categories: a) I want to go.. b) I want to have c) I want to be.. d) I want to meet..
“We need to generate more funds so that we can help make the wishes of our identified beneficiaries come true,” Mr. Sablan said. The program has identified six beneficiaries on Saipan.
The gala night will have Frank Shankwitz, the man who co-founded Make-A-Wish in America, as special guest.
