More than 25 teams of four or more walkers mingled with individual walkers, Make-A-Wish Foundation families and other guests at the Stotsenberg track at Pepperdine University on June 7 for the first annual Walk for Wishes fundraising event held by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles.
Fundraising efforts combined with the sale of raffle tickets at the walk raised more than $45,000 toward fulfilling the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Participating teams had completed their fundraising work before the walk, with team “Makenna Gives Back” raising $5,400, the largest team total.
Following the two-mile walk, there were many activities for the 200 guests in attendance, including a Hot Wheels race track, a Guitar Hero station and face painting. There was also a visit from a person dressed as Barbie.
Children at the event also had special meet-and-greets and received autographs from Lauren Conrad of MTV’s “The Hills,” Erin Sanders of “Zoey 101” and Christopher Murray also of “Zoey 101.”
The attendees also heard from Pasadena resident Randal Hand, father of 8-year-old wish child Makenna Hand. He spoke about her visit to Walt Disney World.
“Although the vacation, or the shopping trip or special event is necessary to the gift, it’s really only the wrapping paper,” Randal Hand said. “The real gift from the Make-A-Wish Foundation is much, much deeper. It’s an island of joy in a sea of sorrow. It’s a record of good memories for a family to remember their loved one. It’s a parent sharing smiles with their child who may not have had a smile in a long time.”
For more on the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles, go to www.wishla.org.