November Goodie of the Month: The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada

The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada was, without a doubt, a charity we wanted to feature on “Goodie of the Month”. Their passion and dedication in fulfilling children’s dreams that are faced with life-threatening illnesses is inspiring. We were thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with Sandra Gregory & Leslie Hughes of The Children’s Wish Foundation. Our Q & A (listed below) allowed us to gain a deeper awareness of the foundation’s values and goals. This foundation truly embodies the meaning of creating treasured memories for children and their families. Making a dream come true is as simple as providing a donation, becoming a wish hero, volunteering or referring a child.

Image from www.childrenswish.ca

LPG: Please explain briefly about the history of The Children's Wish Foundation such as, how and when the charity was started and who and or how they help children:

Children's Wish: Since 1984, The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada has worked tirelessly to grant exceptional wishes to over 16,000 children and their families. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Children’s Wish.

Laura Cole, the committed and passionate founder of the Children’s Wish created an all-Canadian organization to help fulfill wishes of children between the ages of 3 and 17 who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

We understand the trauma and stress that overwhelm families when a child has a serious illness. Therefore, we do everything in our power to look after every detail in granting wishes. For example, if the child’s wish is for a trip, we arrange for flights, accommodation, passes, Blue Cross travel insurance, per diems and transportation. We enlist the help of nurses and other medical personnel when their expertise is required. We also arrange for respirators, wheelchairs and other special medical equipment when the need arises. Our staff are on call 24 hours a day should the wish family need assistance or have an emergency situation. The magic of a wish provides children and their families with an opportunity to share the joy of a special experience, and an escape from the day-to-day challenges of illness.

LPG: What makes The Children's Wish Foundation unique?

Children's Wish: The Children’s Wish Foundation is an all-Canadian organization with offices in every province. We have never refused a wish to an eligible child, and we never will.

LPG: What is the number one thing that you want people to know about this charity?

Children's Wish: I think that the number one thing for Children’s Wish is that we have NEVER refused an eligible child their wish ever. Also, I think we work really hard to be the number one wish granting charity in this country. We will continue to do that. We exist because of the children. We are here, all of us, to make sure that every eligible child in Canada receives their most heart-felt wish.

LPG: What goals do you want to achieve as a charity now and in 5 years?

Children's Wish: For us, it is about the granting of wishes to children that have life threatening illnesses. We strive to bring that magic to a child and their family.

LPG: Lastly, how can people help support the Children's Wish Foundation?

Children's Wish: We rely entirely on the generosity of our donors and volunteers to grant our children their wishes.

To learn more, or to make a donation, please visit www.childrenswish.ca or call us at 1-800-267-WISH (9474.).

November Activity of the Month: Connect Four

Why this activity? At every event this game is always a huge hit. Why??? Well, there must be a reason that this game has existed since 1974 and children of all ages absolutely love playing Connect Four! It’s a great game that captures children’s attention allowing them to use their thinking skills without being aware of it!

Skills children can learn through this game: Children develop their problem solving skills and patience by playing Connect Four as they each take turns placing their coloured disc through the 7 column grid. Their cognitive abilities and mathematical skills are challenged as players have to predict what their opponent will do and where they will place their disc. Each player is engaged in strategic planning as they decide their next move. The winner will have comprised a group of the same 4 coloured discs in a row.

For children ages 2 ½ and older, this game allows them to use their fine motor and coordination skills, as they grab a disc or two and try placing it in an open slot. Cause and effect is another component that children can learn at the end of the game. This is also one of the most exciting parts of playing. One person has to pull the bottom bar underneath the gird and release all of the discs. As a result, the discs will fall all over the place and make a loud banging sound that children find so much fun!

Ways to modify the game for children: 1. Make the game into a race and whoever places of all of their coloured discs into the slot first wins. 2. Have free play! Allow children to play alone and experiment with patterns and design. For example, red red black, black red black or red black red black...what comes next? 3. Transform the coloured discs into mathematical counters as they help children learn their numbers!

Where can you buy this activity? Wal-Mart, Zellers, Toys R Us, the Bay, Sears and several other retail stores that sell children game products.

Suitable ages: Although the Connect Four box advises parents with children ages 4+ to play the game, children ages 2 ½+ could play a modified version of this game with parental supervision of course!

***Please note: Younger children will need adult assistance and supervision during this activity as small objects (discs) are included and may be a choking hazard! ***