Destination Joy

Last week, I volunteered to help with Destination Joy, a celebration for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In case you don't know, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to fill their days with with hope, strength and joy. It was started when a group of volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer. And now, the Foundation is the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 67 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 164,000 wishes in the U.S. since their first start in 1980! I have posted the link to their website on my page if anyone wants to check it out for more information. They accept all kinds of volunteer services and it is well worth every minute of your time!

I was unable to get many pics because my hands were full with children, but I did manage to get a few while the kids were watching the play that the Children's Theatre put on for them. It was a great experience and a great eye opener to remember how blessed I am on a daily basis. These children are true inspirations and the real heroes in today's society.

Me and Wendi

Me and Ginger, a nurse on the oncology floor at Vanderbilt too.

There were many awards given during the opening ceremony, one special award went to Rascal Flatts who is heavily involved in Make-A-Wish.


Some of the "Wish Kids"

Billy Jean, a mom of a former wish kid and Anthony - another nurse at Vanderbilt

And everyone knows you can't grant wishes without fairy tale princesses!
I think these guys are from Star Wars -- never seen it though, so that is just a guess...