Make wishes come true during Chi Omega's Wish Week

You've seen and heard the heartwarming stories about children with life-threatening illnesses who are granted a wish that brings joy to their final days or gives them hope for the future. During Chi Omega's Wish Week, March 19-24, the campus community has the chance to contribute toward making a child's wish come true.

During Wish Week, Midwestern State University's Chi Omega Chapter, Omicron Theta, will hold events to contribute to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the national organization that fulfills the wishes of gravely ill children. According to Omicron Theta adviser Joellen Tritton, over the last 11 years, the chapter has donated $94,694 and contributed 3,710 volunteer hours to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The chapter's goal this year is to pass the $100,000 mark. With the average cost of a wish at more than $5,000, MSU's Chi Omega chapter has granted almost 19 wishes. Considering the average membership of the chapter is relatively small, 45 women, the group has been recognized at Chi Omega's national conventions as the smallest group that raised the most funds. Make-A-Wish and Chi Omega are nationwide partners.

Events begin March 19, at Buffalo Wild Wings with the proceeds from meals going to Make-A-Wish Foundation. From 4-10 p.m. Tuesday, Chili's will donate a percentage of its proceeds, then Fuzzy's Tacos in Century Plaza will donate its proceeds to Make-A-Wish all day Wednesday. Click below to download fliers to be given to wait staff at each restaurant. Fliers must be presented for donations to be properly credited to Make-A-Wish and can be obtained by emailing Amanda Spotts at aspotts1@yahoo.com.

Also for Make-A-Wish, Chi Omega members are selling cool colored sunglasses for only $3. Contact any member or e-mail Spotts at aspotts1@yahoo.com to snag a pair of the fun shades.

Although the entry deadline has passed for Swishes for Wishes, the 3-on-3 basketball tournament will be held at 10 a.m. March 24 in the Student Wellness Center. Those entry fees will benefit Make-A-Wish.

Tritton said that it wasn't hard for the group to get excited about raising funds for Make-A-Wish, especially after being involved with two send-off parties. "When they get to have an experience with the child, it helps them believe they're making a difference," Tritton said. "Our chapter has done a fabulous job of coming up with ways to raise funds."

Omicron Theta President Kayla Gray said that last year, Chi Omega played host to a send-off party for a young girl who had been diagnosed with leukemia. "The entire Greek community, along with the MSU cheerleaders, came together to throw her, her family, and her classmates a party before she went to Disney World," Gray said. "This was an amazing opportunity we were presented with, and it touched our hearts."

According to Megan Szydloski, communications manager for the North Texas Chapter of Make-A-Wish, funds that are raised by Omicron Theta, stay in the North Texas area. That hits home with the girls. "They know that they are making a difference, community-wise," Szydloski said.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation has been granting wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions since 1980. According to the Make-A-Wish Web site, more than 250,000 wishes have been granted worldwide over the past 31 years.