Wish: Go on a shopping spree

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of San Diego

A bubbly ‘tween, Rosemary loves to shop, hang out with her friends, and do other girly things. Her shopping spree was her wish come true, and included the things she loves—shopping, shopping, and more shopping—with her mom and her friends.

On the day of her wish experience, Rosemary, her mother, and Rosemary's two friends were picked up by a limousine and escorted in style to the mall. Once they arrived, Rosemary and her entourage shopped until they worked up a real appetite. After they ate lunch, they pampered themselves with manicures and pedicures at Fabulous Nails Spa. Then, Rosemary had her make-up done at Macy's and finished up her last-minute shopping before she called it her perfect wish day.

Rosemary's wish was granted in conjunction with the Wags for Wishes event.

Wish: Go to Brisbane, Australia

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Michigan

Dominique with Louise Verbeke, a Local 653 plant employee.

Dominique is a bubbly little girl who likes to spend time with her family. She and her family just loved Steve Irwin, the legendary crocodile hunter. Her big dream was to go to Brisbane, Australia where could go to Irwin’s zoo and possibly meet him. Even though Irwin tragically passed away shortly before her trip, Dominique enjoyed Australia including the weather, the beach and her trip to Irwin’sAustralia Zoo. During her visit, Dominique met Terri Irwin, the wife of Steve. Terri generously spent time with this charming little girl and helped make her trip an amazing adventure. Dominique’s wish was granted in conjunction with the Softball for Wishes event hosted by UAW Local 653.

Wish: Have a basketball court

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Vermont

Stephen (in GMC hat) and his friends Andrew (far left) Kris Smith and Daniel (far right) helped Stephen celebrate his wish.

Stephen loves to play basketball and hang out with his friends. Stephen’s love of basketball made his wish a given: his very own basketball court where he could shoot hoops. On Stephen’s wish-come-true day, friends and family gathered around the newly installed basketball court and waited for his reaction—Stephen was thrilled with his personal basketball court. Kris Smith from Courtesy Pontiac-Buick-GMC Truck in Berlin shared the joyful celebration. She attended on behalf of the dealership and brought GM hats for Stephen and his friends. Smith said, “It felt great to be there. It’s nice to see good things happen to good people.”

Wish: Visit Walt Disney World^® Resort

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of  North Texas

Tina Corbett (far left) from the West Texas Regional Office of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas is joined by Jo Hooker (red and yellow blouse), president of Freedom Pontiac-Buick-GMC Truck; Linda’s family; and Donna Mezera (far right), also from the Foundation.

Like other little kids, Linda wanted to have fun. Unfortunately, her illness kept her from doing what most other children do, such as playing with her brother and two sisters. So when the time came for her to make a wish, she chose the Magic Kingdom. Her wish began with a princess party hosted by Freedom Pontiac-Buick-GMC Truck in Odessa. She was showered with all sorts of wonderful gifts fit for a princess. After the send-off, Linda and her family were flown to Orlando where they enjoyed a weeklong family vacation at Disney World. They enjoyed all the theme parks and especially Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee. The highlight of Linda’s trip? Meeting all the Disney princesses in person.

Wish: Visit Walt Disney World^® Resort

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Mid-Atlantic

Clark and his sister Calli having fun.

Clark absolutely loves the character Sponge Bob Square Pants. When the wish granters told Clark he could have the wish of his dreams, he had no trouble deciding—this young man wanted to visit Walt Disney World and meet Sponge Bob. Clark and his family enjoyed a weeklong stay at the Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee, where they relaxed and focused on family fun. Clark enjoyed all the attractions, including Magic Mountain, but the favorite part of his trip was meeting his hero Sponge Bob.

Wish: Be a zookeeper for a day

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Wisconsin

Bryce took his zoo keeping duties seriously.

Even at his young age, Bryce knows his mind. He loves animals. Not long after his wish was granted, Bryce was on his way to San Antonio, Texas to be a zookeeper at the San Antonio zoo.

Bryce’s wish started out with excitement: A camouflage-painted HUMMER provided by Ken Bachelor Cadillac-Saab-HUMMER of San Antonio picked up the family at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort. From there on, things only got better. Bryce wore a special Khaki zookeeper outfit sent to him by his new zookeeper friends. To complete his attire, he wore a straw safari hat that his mom and dad found at the Rainforest Café they visited.

Then things got even more exciting.

Guided by Jeff Stehle, the zoo’s large-animal supervisor, Bryce did everything from cleaning rhino poop to feeding an apple to Sababu, a giant female black rhino.

In the lion’s den, Pam, a large female lion, spooked Bryce with her roaring welcome, so he chose the company of a tamer species: a goat and other creatures at the petting zoo.

Getting up his courage, Bryce went back into the lion’s den, where he met Berani, the Sumatran tiger, and left the den feeling proud of his himself. And so the day went, filled with learning lots of new things about animals and enjoying being a little kid.

What was his favorite animal?  Well, all of them—but he had a special affection for the rhinos. What zookeeper wouldn't?

Wish: Go on a Kenny Chesney cruise

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Central and Northern Florida

Michelle is a big fan of country western music star Kenny Chesney. So, more than anything, she wished to go on a Kenny Chesney Caribbean cruise. On board, she enjoyed the sunshine and amenities of the ship while listening to her favorite musician. While on the cruise with her family and friend Kalie, she was able to relax and forget about her illness. Not only did Michelle meet Chesney, but she also met country singer Chris Cagle, who, to her delight, serenaded her. Michelle had a magical experience, just like every wish should be. Her wish was granted in conjunction with the Wish Ball 2006.