Thursday Thirteen 310: Make-A-Wish

This week's T13 was inspired by the most uplifting news story ever -- especially during a week of such devastating storms both across the USA and around the world.


Last Friday, the city of San Francisco transformed itself into Gotham for the day, to grant the wish of a little boy with leukemia who wanted to be Batman.

5-year-old Miles "Batkid" Scott’s wish was made possible through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with the help of thousands of San Franciscan citizens who turned out to support and donate their time and money.

Make-A-Wish was started in 1980, when a US Customs Agents told a co-worker with the Arizona Department of Public Safety about a friend’s young son who had leukemia and wanted to be a police officer "to catch bad guys." Through interdepartmental help, they make Chris’s dream come true, days before he passes. (Read more here)

Those involved realize they don’t want the good feeling to end there, and in November of 1980 the group receives its tax-exempt status as a non-profit organization. By the following spring the group has raised $2000 and can grant its first official wish, which is for another little boy with leukemia.

In spring of 1982, the television show NBC Magazine does a story about this small new charity that’s granting wishes to children fighting for their lives. Phone lines are then jammed with calls from people who want to be part of it.

The national Make-A-Wish Foundation is based in Phoenix, Arizona and was incorporated in May of 1983. There are now 61 chapters across the US and its territories.

Make-A-Wish International, also based in Phoenix, is the hub for wish-granting activities in 48 countries, outside of the United States, on five continents. Visit World Wish for more info.

About 27,000 children are diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition each year in the US.

Make-A-Wish granted 14,000 wishes last year, about one every 38 minutes. More than 226,000 children in the United States have benefited from having their heartfelt wishes granted since the foundation started.

Making a wish come true can change the outcome of a life-threatening disease, but also impacts all those involved. Just the act of making their wish come true can give the wish kid the courage to comply with their medical treatments, or make parents feel more optimistic, which in turn helps the child affected.

"According to the results of a 2011 Wish Impact Study that surveyed wish parents, health professionals, and volunteers, a wish come true empowers children with life-threatening medical conditions to fight harder against their illnesses." (Wish impact, Make-A-Wish website)

Make-A-Wish mission: We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

For a sixth year, Macy’s is teaming up with the Make-A-Wish for their Believe campaign. Starting in November, children can drop off their letters to Santa at any Macy’s department store. For each letter received through Dec. 24, Macy’s will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, up to $1 million. "Yes, Virginia," presented by Macy’s, will air on CBS on National Believe Day, Friday, Dec. 6.



LINKING TO: Thursday Thirteen




Disclaimer: I am not associated in any way with Make-A-Wish or Macy's.

Thursday Thirteen 101: Autism Awareness

* April is Autism Awareness Month, and April 2 World Autism Awareness Day. Though my own family has not been touched by autism, I have many friends whose children have been diagnosed with it.

* Today, Alpha Xi Delta is proud to announce a new philanthropic focus and partnership with Autism Speaks.

* Autism Speaks is the most prominent Autism awareness organization in the United States. They are dedicated to raising awareness of and funding research into the causes of autism.

* Autism or Autistic Syndrome Disorder is a development disorder that affects the way a person communicates with and relates to people around him. It is usually first noticed when a child reaches the age of three and is basically identified by three areas of difficulty for the autistic person: Social relationships and communications, imagination and planning, and repetitive behaviors.

* Some people with autism may never learn to talk, and may engage in repetitive movements. They have a reduced sensitivity to pain but are abnormally sensitive to sound, touch, and other sensory stimulation.

* The cause of autism is not known and last throughout a person’s lifetime. Recent studies suggest that some people have a genetic predisposition to autism. Researchers are looking for clues about genes that contribute to this increased susceptibility. Evidence also suggests that some emotional disorders such as manic depression occur more frequently than average in the families of people with autism. There is no cure for autism but treatment can help, which may include behavior and communication therapies and medicines to control symptoms. Some also believe that environmental factors (e.g. exposure to certain chemicals) may also be contributing factors.

* Autism affects 1 in 150 children, 1 in 94 boys today, compared to only 1 in 10,000 just thirteen years ago.

* Autism affects all ethnic, racial and social groups, but affects boys four times more than it does girls.

* Autism affects 1.5 million in the US alone, and tens of millions worldwide.

* Three children are diagnosed with some form of Autism every hour—that’s 24,000 each year.

* More children will be diagnosed this year with Autism than AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined.

* Despite its rapid growth, Autism receives a mere three-tenths of one percent of NIH funding. To give you an idea of how under funded research is, Leukemia affects 1 in 25,000 and receives $310 million in funding; MD affects 1 in 20,000 and receives $175 million in funding; and juvenile diabetes affects 1 in 500 and receives $130 million. Autism affects 1 in 150 and receives only $15 million in funding.

* In 2007, Gina K Designs introduced the “Love You to Pieces” stamp set. $8.00 of every set sold goes directly to Autism Speaks. Benefit your hobby and a worthwhile charity at the same time!

LINKS TO OTHER THURSDAY THIRTEENS:
(Please leave your link if this is your first visit!)

Clara * Adelle Laudan * Stephanie Adkins * Chris
Alice Audrey * Hootin' Anni * Marcia * Lanie Fuller
Janice Seagraves * Tempest Knight/Cassandra
RJ LeBeau * Shelley Munro * Maggie Nash * Ms Menozzi
Inez Kelley * Barbara * Angeleque Ford * Paige Tyler
Gattina * Jamie Babette * Lauren Murphey
Jennifer McKenzie * Mel * Storyteller * Kandyblossom
Lovesmukiwa * Pamela

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things.

RECYCLING YOUR BOOKS – OR FINDING NEW HOMES FOR OLD FRIENDS

Whether you are moving or simply running out of space, there comes a time in every book-lover’s life when she looks around her, at bookcases bulging with volumes, and boxes stashed in closets and under beds, and realizes–the books have taken over. If you’re one of the many bibliophiles in dire need of reducing your library and wondering how to go about it, fear not! I’m here to help.

First, admit you have a problem. Then, take heart; know that you can overcome the addiction, and purge the overflowing library. True, it won’t be easy, but it can be done!

The obvious answer in stemming the problem would be to simply not buy any more books. We all know that isn’t going to happen though, right? No matter how many books we already have, however many there are on the To-Be-Read (TBR) pile begging for our attention, there are always more out there clamoring for our attention. Rather than cut yourself off from buying new books completely, consider weeding out your existing collection.

I know, I know–how dare I suggest such a thing? Simple. It’s time to be honest with yourself and admit that you are NEVER going to re-read all of those books, and that your evolving tastes in genres means there are books in the TBR pile that no longer appeal.

Begin with the simple ones first–college textbooks. You know what I'm talking about. They’re the ones you couldn't sell back to the bookstore and that have been sealed in a box in the closet or basement storage space. No matter the subject or how long you hang on to them, it is highly unlikely that you will ever need or want that book again. Get rid of it!

Next, children’s books. If you do not have kids of your own, or are never visited by small children, it’s time to go through the “kiddie lit” and see what you can discard. Do you really need all those Little Golden Books? I’ll allow you the Shel Silverstein and the collection of Grimm’s fairy tales, but unless it’s a rare collectors edition, add it to the donation box.

Which now brings us to the remainder of your collection, and the part that gets more difficult. It’s time to go through those boxes and shelves, one at a time. Don’t feel this is a chore that has to be completed in one day, unless you are held to a moving schedule. Remember to be brutally honest with yourself, and admit that your reading preferences may have changed over the years. What you thought you might read or re-read ten or twenty years ago may no longer appeal to you. Admit that there are authors or genres you no longer like, and that you don’t remember what every book is about. If you cannot remember a book by reading the title or back cover blurb, consider discarding it. Also look for duplicate copies—at one time or another we’ve all bought a book we didn’t remember buying, only to later discover it in our TBR pile.

Once this chore is done, it’s time to decide what to do with the castaways. Unless a book is in truly poor condition, do not throw it away. Instead, offer books to friends or family. Set out a "free books" box in the lobby or cafeteria at work, or in the lobby of your apartment building. Encourage others to add books they no longer want to the box as well. Just remember that you are trying to get rid of books, not adopt all of those abandoned by friends, neighbors or coworkers.

If you want to try to earn a little money back on them, consider the following options:

--Sell at a Yard/Garage sale
--Sell to a used bookstore
--Sell online at sites such as eBay or Amazon

It is very unlikely, however, that you will sell all of the books you put out on the table and, since most used books go for very little (though hardcovers may go for a bit more than paperbacks), you certainly won’t make much money on them. If making even the smallest profit doesn’t matter to you, consider donating those books to a worthy cause. Here are some suggestions:


CHILDREN’S, YOUNG ADULT, or REFERENCE BOOKS:
--Children’s hospital (many do annual book drives to restock their shelves)
--Schools (Daycare, Preschool, Elementary–check locally to see if they would be interested)
--Community Centers
--Church (for use in common areas, rummage sales, or donation boxes)
--Charity shop (Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul’s, etc)
--Clubs (e.g.: Boys & Girls Club)

*Also consider donating old magazines to all of the above. In addition to being good reference material, many clubs or classes might also use them in art or other projects.


ADULT BOOKS:
--Community/Senior Centers
--Church
--Charity shop (Goodwill, St Vincent de Paul’s, etc)
--Learning Centers/Literacy programs
--Nursing/Retirement homes
--Veteran’s hospitals
--Public Library (Many community libraries hold weekly or monthly book sales to raise funds for new material or equipment)
--Jails/Prisons (Check locally to see how to go about doing this. Many correctional institutions only allow books sent via a bookstore or publisher, however, some also allow donations through special programs.)
--US Military Troops through such programs as http://www.booksforsoldiers.com/, http://www.anysoldier.com/ or http://www.operationpaperback.com/


FOREIGN LANGUAGE BOOKS:
--High School or University libraries
--Learning Centers/Literacy programs


True, thinning out your private book collection will be no easy task, but it can be done–and think of the pleasure your old friends might bring to someone else in need. Not to mention the extra money for those sold, or the room you’ll have for new books.

Bratfest Sets New Record

It's official!

After four years there is a new record for number of brats sold during Bratfest. 191,712 Johnonville Brats were sold at this year's event -- a whopping 2,280 more than the 2004 record, despite having to close early Sunday night due to severe weather. The new record is being attributed to both the warm weather and the high gas prices that are keeping people closer to home. That's an estimated $100,000 that will benefit local charities!

Thursday Thirteen #60: BratFest

The World's Largest Bratfest is this weekend, May 23rd thru May 26th, at Willow Island on the Coliseum grounds.

Bratfest is a community event, with proceeds going to local groups and charities that staff it.

78 local charities have participated over the years, with $674,367 raised since 1983 for participating charities.

Bratfest gets under way with "take your brat to work day" this Thursday from 6-9am in the NBC15 parking lot. Yes, I know -- only in Wisconsin are bratwursts considered a breakfast food. Seriously--it goes great with scrambled eggs!
ETA: More than 12,000 brats were sold this morning in three hours, for a whopping $19,000 raised for charity. Not a bad beginning at all!

A whopping 157,665 Johnsonville Brats were consumed at the 2007 Bratfest.

2,076,660 (or 223 tons) of brats have been sold during the event since 1983. They also offer hotdogs and boca brats, which are not included in the official tally.

The current record for number of brats sold was set Memorial Day Weekend May 2004 when 189,432 brats were consumed over the four day event.

Bratfest began in 1983 in the Hilldale Mall parking lot, the brainchild of local businessman Tom Metcalfe. In 2005 the event moved to Willow Island, having grown too big to be held in the mall parking lot. Metcalfe's sons Tim and Kevin now continue the tradition.

The event features a number of celebrity cashiers, including First Lady Jessica Doyle, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, City of Madison Fire Chief Debra Amesqua, Senator Fred Risser, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin.

The event features two entertainment stages featuring 80 hours of music and a variety of local talent, including Clear Blue Betty, Harmonious Wail, Od Tapo Imi, and The Madison Scouts.

Other special events include appearances by the Johnsonville Big Taste Touring Grill (65 feet long!), Oscar Mayer Weinermobile, a midway, and kiddie kayaking.

On Sunday, the Madison Marathon ends at Bratfest. What better reason is there to run, than knowing there are bratwursts at the end of the journey?

Bratfest has been featured in a documentary released July 15, 2006, and is also featured in the July 2007 release Eat This!: 1,001 Things to Eat Before You Diet By Ian Jackman.


Links to other Thursday Thirteens:

Shelley Munro * Bethanne * Janice Seagraves
Ms Menozzi * Adelle Laudan * December * Darla
Debbie Mumford * Dana Belfry * Alice Audrey
Nina Pierce * Paige Tyler * Cassandra Curtis
Gina Ardito * Pussreboots * Mia * Jennifer McKenzie

(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Make a Wish

Local stamp entrepreneur Gina K. Designs is doing it again!

Earlier this year, Gina introduced a special stamps for a cause set benefiting Autism Speaks. This month Gina unveiled her latest charity set, Make a Wish. $7 of every set sold will be donated to the Make a Wish Foundation. Stamp sets sold to date total 301, translating to $2107.00 for MWF! Click on the stamps for a cause link to purchase your set today, and don't forget to check out her blog for beautiful samples of cards and other items using this versatile set.

In the Wake of Katrina

It's been a week now, and the images coming out of the south in the wake of Katrina only get uglier with each passing day. Sure, there are the incredible survival stories, the gut-wrenching tales told over and over again in the news -- but the devastation is unfathomable. Thousands have been affected along the gulf coast, from New Orleans eastward, and have been evacuated out of the area. Texas has filled several stadiums/arenas with hurricane refugees, and more have been sent to Arizona and other states. Some may even be coming as far north as Wisconsin, as communities across the country try to absorb those displaced by Katrina.

I've been trying not to watch too much of the media coverage, the images too much to stand. It's not that I don't care, but at some point you have to turn it off or go crazy. My sister's husband and some of his coworkers took truckloads of supplies from Birmingham to Hammond, LA the day after Katrina struck. Hammond fared far better than other southern communities, with some flooding and minor power outages. The elctricity was restored within days, but with no access to media coverage, my BIL was calling home several times a day to ask my sister for updates. After two straight days of watching nearly non-stop coverage, she awoke from a dream: water was filling their apartment and she was trying to hold the baby above it. She woke to find herself holding one of the cats, above her head. Lucy was not amused and the television was immediately turned off.

Sadly, there are always those who will prey on the victims of any catastrophe, as well as those wanting to help. Our local news channels and papers urge us daily to help as much as we can, but also remind us to only give to ligitimate charities, particularly the "big three": American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and The United Way. Habitat for Humanity has also been mentioned, as they will be instrumental in the rebuilding of many of the communities hit by Katrina, as they have been in areas hit by the Tsunami.

One of my fellow Divas, Lynn Daniels, has posted a more comprehensive list of different organizations aiding in the relief and recovery efforts. I invite you to visit her site for more information: You can Help .

And if you're wondering about favorite writers or author friends, Vicki Hinze has posted a "check in" page for those who have been heard from, and those they're still awaiting news of: Hurricane Check In.