Make-A-Wish 3c Adopts Erik's Harvest

I was asked to write a story about a wish I am helping to grant for a magazine and I thought I would share it here. I hope you enjoy it, but most of all I hope you are inspired to help others.

--November 3, 2009--

My name is James Radina and I am a volunteer Wish Granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego. It’s hard to believe that it's been nine months since I first met Erik, a 15-year-old boy whose wish I volunteered to grant, but as soon as I met him I knew that this was no ordinary young man.

When my wish granting partner and I arrived at Erik’s home, we were shocked to see that his living conditions were very poor. There was no adult to be found and it looked like there hadn’t been anyone around in a while. After Erik insisted that we come in and sit with him, we could see in his eyes that he was just about to explode in the anticipation of sharing his wish idea with us.

Wishes tend to fall into one of four categories: “I wish to go…,” “I wish to meet…,” “I wish to have…,” or “I wish to be…” But like I said, Erik was not an ordinary child, he had a different idea for his wish. As soon as he had a chance to speak, he sat up in his wheelchair and beamed, “You know those children in Africa that don’t have access to food and have to walk a long distance for fresh water? Is there a way I can help them? Can my wish be to send water and food to help all these kids?”

Needless to say we were speechless. The San Diego chapter of Make-A-Wish has never granted an “I wish to give...” before and we were excited to see where this would lead. Here is young man with nothing, with no role models or support at home, and because of an infomercial he saw on TV he wants to change the world. His wish to provide unconditional support to kids in Africa didn't stop there, as he started asking about other countries too. What is truly amazing about Erik is that he wanted nothing for himself, he didn't ask to fly to Africa for fun and even though he loves videos games and spends much of his time at home, he did not ask for a new computer or a dream bedroom makeover. He knew he could have any of these wishes if he'd asked but every time we spoke to Erik from that point forward, all he wanted to know was “how many” kids he was going to help.

So we went to work. First stop was to Project Concern International (PCI), a San Diego-based health and humanitarian organization whose worldwide programs are dedicated to preventing disease, improving community health and promoting sustainable development. Through this partnership, “Erik’s Harvest” was born, a program that provides education and support to children through community gardens and fish ponds in Zambia, Ethiopia, and Malawi.

Today Erik is with a new family that provides the love and support he needs at home and this Saturday, November 7^th Erik’s wish will come to it's exciting culmination. He will be a guest of honor at PCI's "Hands Across Borders" event and get to present a check to the CEO in honor of "Erik’s Harvest." He will share his story and inspire about 650 supporters at PCI’s largest fundraising event.

I strongly believe that this is just the first step for Erik; he is creating a movement. From day one, he wanted to help all the kids in Africa, and throughout this wish experience he wanted to make sure Erik’s Harvest would continue to help kids long after his wish had been granted. Erik’s Harvest is about kids helping kids though sustainability and education. Your donations in honor of Erik should be sent to The Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego (www.wishsandiego.org) or Project Concern International (http://www.projectconcern.org).

-----
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego has recently launched “3c,” an ambitious new philanthropic committee, and its current project is a prime example of Make-A-Wish’s long-celebrated heart and drive. I am on the committee (website coming soon, http://www.makeawish3c.org/)

3c, also known as “The Committee for Cause and Connections,” was created in May of this year by a group of young professionals. They recognized the opportunity to attract a younger, more diverse demographic by hosting new fun and unique social events. The goal of this is to further the advancement of Make-A-Wish through the cultivation of future philanthropic generations. The bonuses of it are raising funds and company awareness, and providing cool new networking opportunities for young professionals.

3C has chosen Erik's wish as our first wish this year. Come support us at The Grand Del Mar on December 2nd. http://www.makeawish3c.org/ has all the details, SEE YOU THERE!!

Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Since its inception in 1983, the San Diego chapter of Make-A-Wish has granted 2,500 wishes to children in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

James Sol Radina

Brian Tracy International
Business Development Director
619.501.2371

James@BrianTracy.com