Make-A-Wish Walk for Wishes raises $75,000

As part of its 30th Anniversary celebration, Make-A-Wish Connecticut hosted its annual Walk For Wishes at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo on Saturday May 14th. Over 1,000 guests gathered together for a walk to make wishes come true for children battling life-threatening medical conditions. The event raised $70,000 – enough to grant 7 more wishes to children in Connecticut.

“We are always so excited to celebrate with our Wish Families, our sponsors, our donors and our friends at the Walk for Wishes each year,” commented Tara Navara, Chief Development Officer for Make-A-Wish Connecticut. “Each year we see our Wish Family grow, and it’s an honor to be a part of such a unique and inspirational experience each year.”

Hosted by Anna from the Anna & Raven Show Mornings on Star 99.9, and News12 Connecticut Anchor and Reporter Kristi Olds, the opening ceremonies featured over 30 Wish Kids – “Wish Heroes” who wore special apparel so guests could identify them and ask them about their wish experiences.

The celebration continued after the walk through the zoo with entertainment provided by Day Lite Entertainment and Productions, and a special wish celebration for Wish Kids Nicholas and Max. Nicholas and Max, 7-year-old twins from Stamford, both battle a rare life-threatening medical condition. Nicholas’ wish was to go to Atlantis, and his wish was recently granted in April. Max’s wish is to meet his favorite NASCAR Driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and is about to come true.

Exhibits throughout the Carousel Building were themed to “Nicholas’ Under The Sea Adventure” and a display of exotic racecars lined the zoo walkways as part of “Max’s Awesome Auto Show,” thanks to the support of Red Line Restorations.

Max was presented with a special letter written to him from Dale Earnhardt, Jr., expressing his excitement to meet Max. Finally, Max and Nicholas were surprised with two brand new Go Kart Racecars, gifts from their parents, which they paraded out of the Zoo in, leading an entire line of racecars behind them.

“Nicholas and Max, and the entire Marti family, have shown us what the power of a wish truly is,” continued Tara Navara of Make-A-Wish Connecticut. “They have had to endure the hardships that come with a life-threatening medical condition with not one child, but two. The strength and courage they show as a family is incredible, and we are honored to be able to make both Nicholas’ and Max’s wishes come true.”

Make-A-Wish also would like to say thank you to event sponsors Sun Products, who donated over 20 prize baskets to the 2016 Walk for Wishes and to Unger Enterprises, Stop and Shop, Nestle Waters, Star 99.9 and News12 Connecticut.