Hoops Heaven! - Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southern Florida

hline
Make-A-Wish Foundation ® wis
of Southern Florida
Nine-year-old Patrick’s wish to be a basketball star was
a slam dunk. Even before he stepped foot on the court at
Alico Arena, there was a buzz about Florida Gulf Coast
University’s newest basketball player. Earlier in the
week, the new recruit from Fort Myers had practiced
with the team so his reputation preceded him and he quickly became a contender for the MVP crown.
Upon his arrival in a limousine, the pint-sized powerhouse and his proud parents made their way
through a sea of cheering fans. In the locker room, Patrick, who likes to be called PJ, got ready with
his team and fielded questions from the media. He listened intently to the scouting report and pep talk
before heading through the tunnel with the team.
All eyes were on PJ who was escorted to center court for a special presentation. There, he received his
official FGCU jersey and autographed memorabilia. He and his family settled into their courtside seats
to catch the action. At halftime, PJ was invited to the President’s Suite for a bird’s eye view and some
hot dogs. The university president surprised PJ by presenting him with a huge accolade – the Honorary
Coach Award.
To celebrate the team’s 64-61 victory and PJ’s fantastic day, he and his family, coaches and teammates
headed out for a post-game meal. His wish was certainly one for the record books!
Wish Granters: Lorraine Alvarez & Sandra Mercado
Referred by: Dr. John Osterman, his doctor
Wish adopted by: Mr. Zach Levine’s Mitzvah Project & Ms. Beth Beller, Creative Memories
W W W . S F L A . W I S H . O R G
Hoops Heaven!
Spring/Summer 2010
Volume 25, Number 2
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening
medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
Visit us on the web at www.sfla.wish.org

CONTACT INFORMATION
Fort Lauderdale Office
4491 South State Road 7, Suite 201
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314
Ph: 954.967.WISH (9474)
Fax: 954.967.2468
e-mail: info@sfla.wish.org
West Coast Office
3635 Bonita Beach Road, Suite 4
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Ph: 239.992.WISH (9474)
Fax: 239.992.2833
e-mail: naples@sfla.wish.org
Web Site: www.sfla.wish.org
Norman Wedderburn
President/CEO
nwedderburn@sflawish.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Brenda Yester, Board Chair,
Carnival Cruise Lines
Willy Gomez, Chair-Elect,
Sabadel United Bank
Lisa Bauer, Chair-Elect Designate,
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
Dulce Stephens, Treasurer,
Community Volunteer
Michael Abes, Community Volunteer
Alex Adams, Northern Trust
George Baccash, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
Ben Eisenberg, Transwestern
Robby Elias, The Elias Law Firm, PLLC
Tina Elmowitz, rbb Public Relations
Amy Federman, Burson-Marsteller
Peter Fullerton, The Fullerton Law Group, LLP
Shaheewa Gelin, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security
Michel Koopman, Citrix Systems, Inc.
Brian Kosoy, The Sterling Organization
Robert Lisy, Intermex Wire Transfers LLC
Dr. Ginger Turnier Medel, MEDNAX
Dr. Frederick V. Miller, MEDNAX
Stan Moss, Polen Capital Management
Ryan Munder, Rednum Capital Partners LLC
Michael Ortega, CDC Builders
Mark Peterson, Bank of America, N.A.
Cara Rhoads, MEDNAX
Brett Rose, United National Consumer Suppliers
Michael Rose, Dominick & Dominick, LLC
Greg Salsburg, STIR-Communications
Michael Schimmel, Kopelowitz Ostrow
Kevin Sloan, PNC Bank
Laura Trosclair, Community Volunteer
J. Everett Wilson, Akerman Senterfitt
Jerome Wolf, Duane Morris LLP
WEST COAST ADVISORY COUNCIL
Will Collins, Premier Properties
Ted Corbin, BNY Bank
Tom Falciglia, Community Volunteer
Andi & Bill Horowitz, Cummings & Lockwood,
Community Volunteer
Howard Isaacson, Merrill Lynch
Michele King, Children’s Hospital of SW Florida
Earl & Jane Morrall, Former NFL Player,
Community Volunteer
Cora Molloy, Esq., Henderson, Franklin, Starnes
& Holt P.A.
Dr. John D & Rozzi Osterman, Pediatric Neurology, PA
Cole Peacock, RC Peacock Consulting
Kimberly Sullivan, Community Volunteer
What didn’t 3-year-old Sophiella of
Juno Beach do during her wondrous
week at Walt Disney World ® ! She had
so much fun that she couldn’t pick a
favorite part. She met Mickey Mouse
and the whole Disney gang, watched
the parades and conquered the rides.
Front-of-the-line passes to the hottest
attractions helped her feel like a VIP,
but that’s not all. She also participated
in a show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom ®
Park which brought tears to her
mother’s eyes. Sophiella loved staying
at Give Kids The World Village, a non-profit resort reserved for wish
families. She rode horses, ate ice cream for breakfast and decorated her
own star that was hoisted to the ceiling of the Castle of Miracles, its
permanent home. Sophiella’s trip to Orlando is an experience she will
never forget. Her mother called this fairy tale “a true dream come true.”
Wish Granters: Tanju Comert & Valentine Joseph
Referred by: Beverly Gibson, her social worker
Wish adopted by: Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Chaplin
On his wish day, 10-year-old Sebastian’s
parents told him they were going to a
Florida Marlins game. When the limo
showed up, he was shocked and overjoyed
that his wish to meet Hanley Ramirez
would soon come true. His day unfolded
in home run fashion at Land Shark
Stadium. Sebastian, who is battling
Hodgkin’s disease, had his own locker
beside the Marlins shortstop and received
an official personalized big league jersey.
Then it was off to the diamond for batting
practice, autographs, media interviews
and the chance to throw out the first
pitch. To cap off the perfect day at the ballpark, Sebastian cheered as
Hanley and all his new friends won the game.
Wish Granters: Marilyn Areas & Martha Mendez
Referred by: Jacqueline Camacho, his mother
Wish adopted by: Mr. Stuart A. Miller, Lennar Corporation
Special thanks to the Florida Marlins
ConneCT WITH Us onLIne!
Social networking has revolutionized the way we communicate and share
information, so don’t forget to look for us on these social networking
sites.
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/makeawishsfla
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/makeawishsfla
Watch us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/makeawishsfla

Eric is a 16-yearold
thrill seeker
from Homestead
who is battling
Hodgkin’s
lymphoma. His
ultimate wish was
to go ATV riding
because he loves
speed and just
wanted to be free.
During their 5-day
4-wheel adventure in San Diego, Eric and his family
headed out on a couple half-day ATV rides along the
best trails under the watchful eye of a professional.
Adding to his “awesome” experience, he also saw
snow for the first time and got to ride in it. While in
California, Eric and his family visited the San Diego
Zoo and the wax museum, saw the Hollywood sign
and strolled along Rodeo Drive. He loved the red
carpet treatment that he received everywhere that he
went. Eric’s mother said, “Eric had such a wonderful
and worry-free time. It warmed my heart to watch my
son be his outgoing, active teenage self again.”
Wish Granter: Lourdes Nieves
Referred by: Linda Hurley, his mother
Wish adopted by: Mr. Shareef Malnik
To stay connected
with her friends,
surf the internet
and complete
her homework
assignments –
these are just
a few of the
reasons 10-yearold
Jasmine
wished for her
very own computer. She was surprised and beyond
excited during the pizza party in her honor, held
at her Delray Beach home. Not only was Jasmine’s
dream computer unveiled, she also received a desk,
a printer, anti-virus software and a big selection of
educational programs and games that match her
interests perfectly. The second after everything
was professionally installed, Jasmine jumped on
the internet and has been enjoying her very own
computer ever since. Now, whenever she needs to
escape from her daily struggle with an immunity
disorder, she can hop on her state-of-the-art desktop
computer!
Wish Granters: Priscilla Littrell & Jacqueline Platt
Referred by: Jennifer Piva, her nurse
Wish adopted by: Mr. & Mrs. David Jagolinzer
For many teenagers,
shopping is an obsession
and 15-year-old Veron
from Lauderhill is no
exception. During her
shopping spree, she
navigated Coral Square
Mall like a seasoned pro.
She purchased everything
she desired including
video games, clothes,
jewelry and shoes. At
JCPenney, she was treated
to a professional portrait
session and a private prespree
breakfast party with extra gifts selected just
for her including a necklace, photo album and the
latest fragrances. The celebrity treatment continued
at Macy’s where Veron enjoyed the assistance of a
personal shopper, who escorted her around the store
wheeling a rack along for all her fashion selections. A
yummy way to end her day – Veron sat back, relaxed
and enjoyed shrimp pasta at the Outback Steakhouse
before hopping back in her limo and going home!
Wish Granters: Denae Ankele & Kim Tabor
Referred by: Dr. Arlene Haywood, her doctor
Wish adopted by: Mr. Robert Press, Trafalgar Capital
Advisors Inc.
Ten-year-old
Julian from
Davie was
“mystified” by
his wish trip
to California
to experience
LEGOLAND ®
because he has
been fascinated
by LEGO ® bricks
since he was a little boy. Julian and his family
explored every inch of LEGOLAND. During a LEGO
Factory tour, he learned how the bricks are molded,
assembled and packed. The best part was the oneon-one
time that Julian spent with a LEGO engineer
and master builder with a behind-the-scenes
tour and other perks. The engineer also created 2
miniature prototypes of Julian – one Julian kept
as a souvenir and the other was placed next to the
president at LEGOLAND. After showing off his
album of completed LEGO creations, Julian said,
“I’m going to work with you someday.”
Wish Granters: Claudia Alvarez & Maria
Bracamonte
Referred by: Maria Rodriguez, his nurse
Wish adopted by: Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Chaplin

Sixteen-year-old Sully from Cape Coral loves to practice the drums, cheer on the Florida
Gators and play video games. His one special wish was to go on his dream vacation to
Hawaii because it would be a wonderful getaway from his daily battle with juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis. Losing his sight, Sully also wanted to see and experience as much as
possible so he “can have incredible memories embedded” in his mind.
On the plane ride that began his wish trip, Sully was invited into the cockpit to sit in the
captain’s chair and learn about the controls. Once in Maui, he was treated to special
experiences lined up just for him. Sully and his family took a whale-watching cruise
where he sat with his legs dangling off the boat and whales swam underneath the
boat twice. They took a submarine ride, attended a luau, tested their skills on standup
paddle boats and drove to the other side of the island to see beautiful waterfalls.
The ultimate moment of his Maui vacation was ziplining in the rain at Piiholo Ranch.
Sully and his family crossed a 317 foot suspension bridge just to get to the first zipline.
Then they soared like birds across a zipline 480 feet long from a free standing
tower to a grassy meadow below. And there were three more adrenaline-rushing
zipline rides after that. According to Sully, the one word that best describes his
Hawaiian adventure is “awesome.”
Wish Granters: Marc Farrell & Sue Lottridge
Referred by: Norma Liburd, his nurse
Wish adopted by: Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Laquis and Chico’s FAS, Inc.
DonaTe YoUR aIRLIne MILes
Please help us grant wishes involving airline travel, like Sully’s journey to Hawaii. Donate your unused
airline miles today! For more information, visit www.sfla.wish.org
If you know of a child with a life-threatening medical condition who would love to experience a wish come true,
call the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida at 888.773.9474
W W W . S F L A . W I S H . O R G
MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION ® OF SOUTHERN FLORIDA, INC.
4491 South State Road 7, Suite 201
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314
NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
FT. LAUDERDALE, FL
PERMIT NO. 5330