Make-A-Wish South Carolina has been a part of my life since 2013 when I helped emcee the Walk for Wishes event at Rock Hill's Cherry Park. It was at the event that I saw firsthand how wishes can truly impact a child during their medical journey. Being surrounded by wish kids, wish alumni, and wish parents was really inspiring! Make-A-Wish South Carolina grants wishes for children ages 2 1/2 to 17 years old "wishes" to help give them the boost they need to keep fighting through whatever illness they are battling.
I continued supporting Make-A-Wish as a news reporter by highlighting children when they'd get their wish or have a sendoff party. I continued to see the hope, strength and encouragement these wishes provided.
Fast forward to 2017 when I moved to Greer and saw a billboard for the Trailblaze Challenge - a one day, 28.3 mile hike that is meant to simulate the ups and downs a wish child experiences during their treatments. The hike is a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish and raises money for their mission. This highly successful fundraiser draws hundreds of hikers from all around the state and I have proudly participated in this hike in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
Now I am proudly raising money as part of the W.I.S.H (Women Inspiring Strength & Hope) Society to continue the mission of providing wishes for these special kids. 14-year-old Ellie Horton, who suffers from a nervous system disorder, is from Greer and is the young girl with me smiling in my profile photo. She received her wish to go to Disney in December 2023 and was the Grand Marshal for the Greer Christmas Parade. You can see by the smile on her face the impact these wishes have on kids. Not only physically but mentally! Will you support me and helping grant more wishes for these special kids?
