| Maddie
Betts gets wish granted by Make-A-Wish
From the moment I met Madeline (Maddie) Betts she has made me feel like a friend of the family. In November of 2013, she met me on the porch of her home calling me by my name, as if she knew me. Maddie lives with her parents, grandparents, and eight siblings in Cottonwood Idaho. When I asked Maddie what her wish would be, she said she wanted to go to Disneyworld to meet Tinkerbelle. On May 14th her wish began. Delta Airlines at the Spokane Airport surprised Maddie by a big welcome to start her trip. Maddie also was welcomed into the cockpit of the plane that she would be traveling on. Maddie was also scheduled to meet Tinkerbelle on 16th at 10:00 am. All through her week in Disneyworld her mother sent pictures every day of Maddie’s adventures. The first day in Disneyworld at Give Kids the World, her dad’s words were, you have got to be kidding me. Needless to say the family was impressed with the huge three bedroom home that was theirs during their stay at Give Kids the World. After speaking to Maddie and her family upon their return they would like me to thank the Make-A-Wish Foundation and everyone that donates to the foundation to make these experiences truly wonderful. Give Kids the World is an experience in itself and made sure that there were gifts in their room each and every night for each of the children, as well as they had unlimited ice cream. During their visit in Florida they also went and rode go carts on two different occasions. Rod & Donna owners of Rodonna’s Country Haus donated all the fries, tater tots, pitchers of soda, and ice cream that could be consumed by the family and friends on May 30th for Maddie’s welcome home party. Cottonwood Foods did a beautiful job making the cake that had an edible picture of Tinkerbelle in the center. Make-A-Wish Idaho is currently recruiting volunteers in the Lewiston/Clarkston area. Each wish child ideally has two volunteer wish granters assigned to grant their wish but I am currently the only volunteer covering this large area. In the past there have not been as many children in our area that qualify to receive a wish but now there seems to be a steady need. Wish granting is an opportunity to get to know a child and their family then help facilitate granting the wish with the Make-A-Wish Idaho staff. I encourage anyone interested in volunteering and receiving rewarding experiences to contact Make-A-Wish at 208-345-9474. 
Maddie Betts had her wish granted to be able to meet Tinker Belle at Disneyland. |
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