Tuesday 8 January 2013

A Job Well Done By Shelley Breiner

By Dorothea Garner


Confronting terminal or serious health problems is hard for adults, but when it's a child facing the same thing, the pain seems even greater. There are several wish-granting organizations in the United States, which help children make a dream come true. One such organization which is leading the pack is the Kids Wish Network started by Shelley Breiner and her husband, Mark.

While the organization remains small and operates out of one office, its reach is great and they have made a huge impact on the lives of countless kids and those who love them. Granting a wish helps a child feel special and important. Aside from their work granting different wishes, the organization has branched into other areas of need within the youth community.

This growth into other areas of need within the youth community came as the Breiner's and their organization saw a chance to help beyond granting wishes. While granting the dreams of seriously ill kids is the focus of the group, they have made it a part of their operations to help out in many other places. Help is needed in a variety of areas when it comes to child and youth aid, so the organization's growth into new arenas is important.

The network itself grants wishes to kids from the ages of 3 to 18. There are really only two rules that they set forth, which are that the child cannot have had a wish granted by another organization and they must be able to ask for their wish either non-verbally or verbally. The actual wishes themselves vary and the group does their best to make them a reality.

Theme parks in the state of Florida are a huge draw for most children, especially those who are looking for lasting memories with their family. A large percentage of the wishes the Kids Wish Network grants involve sending children and families to Florida to enjoy the many parks. Families find this time extremely meaningful and important because they are all together, having fun, and putting other worries aside for a short time.

Other common wishes that children have are to meet their favorite celebrity or character. Thankfully, many actors, musicians, sports stars, and other famous figures are willing to spend their time with a child who wants nothing more than to spend some time with them. Not only do these celebrity visits make a child and family happy, but they also go a long way to raising awareness of different medical conditions.

Some of America's most well known companies have partnered with the charity to help expand their programs and help needy children. These companies include Hard Rock Cafe, Best Buy, Chick-Fil-A, and Wonderworks. The Breiner's have retired from running the charity but they still volunteer frequently in different areas of the organization.

Improving the lives of ailing children as well as those who love them has been the goal of Shelley Breiner and her husband from the time they started the Kids Wish Network. Even with their continued growth and work within other areas of the youth community, their granting of wishing remains a focus and many children have benefited. Their work is important and caring and many families have found it life changing.




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