The North Alabama Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation recently sponsored their first annual Run for Wishes 5K and One Mile Fun Run in the Villages of Providence.
Founded in 1980, The Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted over 200,000 wishes to children who are suffering from a life-threatening illness. The charity traces its beginnings to Arizona where a group of department of safety officers set out to fulfill the dream of a young boy diagnosed with leukemia. Seven-year-old Chris Greicius’s dream was to become a police officer. The officers planned a fun-filled day for Chris, which culminated in his being sworn in as the first honorary DPS patrolman in Arizona state history. Several days later, Chris passed away from his illness.
After witnessing the joy that fulfilling his wish gave Chris, and the solace that it provided to his parents, the public safety officers, along with Chris’s mother, began the Chris Greicius Make-A-Wish Memorial – which later became known as the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The charity now operates in forty-seven countries around the world through thirty-six affiliate offices.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia and Alabama was created in 1995 and strives to grant more than 300 wishes each year to children suffering from a life-threatening illness. The North Alabama Chapter is part of the Georgia and Alabama affiliate office.
Recently, area residents gathered in the Villages of Providence to enjoy face painting, inflatable bouncers, and a 5K Run through the classic, quintessential southern neighborhood. The Mellow Mushroom and Aegis Technology also sponsored the event which raised over $20,000 for the local North Alabama Make-A-Wish Chapter.
Wish Kid, Hutch Mohr, Age 7, started off the race by firing the official start gun.
After the 5K Run was completed, children and parents participated in the One Mile Fun Run event through the streets of Providence. “The money raised will be used in North Alabama where there are currently 30 pending wishes,” said Greg Rivera, president of the North Alabama Make-A-Wish Chapter.
For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, consult the Alabama and Georgia Chapter website at http://ga-al.wish.org.
