Make-A-Wish of Rochester is basking in the warmth of community spirit this holiday season thanks to the Greater Churchville-Riga Chamber of Commerce and their Tour of Homes event, which raised $3,000 to help grant wishes for children with critical illnesses.
The Tour of Homes, hosted by Churchville Riga Chamber of Commerce and Westside Community Federal Credit Union, took place on December 8 and featured eight homes beautifully decorated for the holiday season. Homeowners Janie Suarez, Peggy and Dave Thompson, Nancy and John Weyl, Mark and Lisa Kolmer, Cory and Jennifer Romesser, Valerie Smith and Joe Gibaud, Dickson and Joan Hawthorne, and Dan and Nicole Hickey opened their homes to more than 300 participants.
The homes were transformed into magical spaces, filled with Santas, stars, snowmen, reindeer, sprigs of cinnamon, swags of greenery, and – oh, the trees. Trees dressed in flowers, icicles, garlands, and a range of beautiful, unique ornaments. Meticulous and magnificent, the time, creativity, energy, and hospitality were a wonderful way to ring in the holidays and bring hope to those children battling critical illnesses.
Every hour of every day, three children in the United States are diagnosed with a critical illness. In the fight against critical illnesses, a wish serves as a catalyst for renewed strength and encouragement for the wish children and families on their journeys. In fact, wishes have proven physical and emotional benefits that can give these children a higher chance of survival. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illness. Each child’s wish is highly personal, yet most fall into five categories…to go…to have…to be…to meet…to give. In the past year, Make-A-Wish of Rochester granted over 80 wishes to children in the region.
The average cost of a wish in this area is approximately $10,000, and since Make-A-Wish does not receive any federal or state funding, they rely solely on the generosity of individuals, special events, corporate and workplace giving, grants, school and community fundraisers, and planned giving. Lisa Kolmer and Joan Hawthorne reached out to Make-A-Wish and connected them with the Greater Churchville-Riga Chamber to make some holiday magic and help make wishes happen.
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