Make A Wish Foundation Employees Reveal The Most Unique Requests They've Received
Make A Wish Foundation Employees Reveal The Most Unique Requests They've Received
[rebelmouse-image 18352368 is_animated_gif=The Make a Wish Foundation has been making wishes a reality for ailing and dying children for decades. They have selflessly united young people with their heroes, mentors and favorite humans and have granted the recipients and their loved ones fantastic trips and dreams they would not normally have been able to experience. All so that the suffering can still hold onto a shred of hope in the face of sadness. It's truly an astonishing organization that makes the lives of some just a bit more bearable.
Redditor _\_u/SkydiverTyler _*wanted to know *_Redditors who work for the Make A Wish Foundation, what is the most unique and/or mundane thing you heard a kid wished for?
LASSO THE HERD!
I'm a volunteer and had an Amish kid about 6 get a wagon for their family horse and is excited to drive it next year because he can at 7 in their family
YOU ASKED FOR IT...
[rebelmouse-image 18352370 is_animated_gif=I used to intern for Make A Wish and vacations were extremely common. They really take into consideration the kids' interests and try to incorporate as much as possible into the wishes as they can afford to.
The most mundane thing I helped plan was for a kid that wanted new bedroom furniture. I mean, if she wants bedroom furniture, we're gonna get her bedroom furniture. But the style she loved was like 80s/90s wood furniture you'd find at grandma's house. We triple checked with her and her family. It's what she wanted.. so it's what she got.
BRINGING THE MOVIES TO YOU!
[rebelmouse-image 18352371 is_animated_gif=We had a make a wish kid come into our store at my old job. We designed home theaters for our clients. He wanted a home theater but make-a-wish only willing to provide us with $5,000 to make it work. What he wanted to do would cost about double that at minimum.
One of the other employees I worked with used to do home theater installations for Geek Squad so he offered to go out and do the installation for free instead of having our regular installers do the work. Another one of my co-workers donated an older set of speakers for the project, and we convinced him to do a decent TV instead of the projector for budgetary reasons. We cut him some good discounts and made the whole thing work with the money we were given. He was thrilled all said and done.
WE LOVE SHAQ!
[rebelmouse-image 18352372 is_animated_gif=I volunteered for Make A Wish about 15 years ago in LA. I took a few kids hiking and one wanted to learn how to surf. Meeting celebrities and athletes was fun.
Shaquille O'Neal was incredibly awesome with the kids and families. He would spend well beyond his allotted time often sometimes to the chagrin of coaches when he was supposed to be in meetings or practice. He favorite thing to do was lift the kid up to the rim to dunk the ball. A few times he paid for the entire medical treatment but wanted no publicity. Great guy and absolutely massive
READY FOR YOUR CLOSE-UP?
[rebelmouse-image 18352373 is_animated_gif=Obligatory I don't work for make-a-wish. My little sister wished to be in her favorite show "Heartland" and she got to be an extra in a minor scene. They sent our family to Calgary, we got a tour of the studio, we met the makeup and costume crew who got her all countried up and amber marshal came to the set to meet my sister even though amber wasn't required on set that day. My sister got sat at the bar behind a couple characters and was given a glass of milkshake. It was actually magical and a big bright spot in what had been an awful time in our lives.
WALK THE PLANK!
[rebelmouse-image 18978538 is_animated_gif=I use to live in SoCal and my husband and I always saw a Make A Wish kid there.
One kid didn't just want to go to Disneyland.
He wanted to go to Disneyland, become a lost boy with Peter Pan, and fight Captain Hook.
Disney let the kid fight Captain Hook and his pirate gang on his own private boat with Peter Pan and the Lost Boys.
NO JAWS.... HOW ABOUT FLIPPER?
[rebelmouse-image 18978539 is_animated_gif=I wanted to swim with sharks. They said no because it would be bad PR if I got eaten.
So I got to swim with a blind dolphin in Hawaii. That was fun though.
THANK YOU MY PRECIOUS...
[rebelmouse-image 18978540 is_animated_gif=One of my son's friends had a little brother with brain cancer who loved Lord of the Rings. Luckily, they had just started filming The Hobbit down in New Zealand. Make A Wish paid for the entire family to fly down to New Zealand and hang out on set for a couple of days. Ian McKellen and Luke Evans were super friendly.
Chemo saved his life and when each of the three Hobbit movies came out, his family organized Make A Wish fundraiser showings. And at each one of the three Fundraisers, multiple actors including Luke Evans and Ian McKellen would record a new video message for the kid and the attendees.
TOUCHDOWN!!
[rebelmouse-image 18978541 is_animated_gif=Had a family friend wish for a football. Just a regular old pigskin. He was three and nearly died from brain cancer, so he was didn't comprehend the scale of it.
Make A Wish gave him a signed football (I want to say from Frank Gore or another 49er?) and sent the entire family to Disneyland right before his dad got deployed to Iraq.
BEYONCE CAN GET YOU RED LOBSTER QUICKER!
[rebelmouse-image 18978542 is_animated_gif=I interned for a Make-a-Wish branch in college for a semester. The vast majority of wishes were to go to Disney World, but there were some memorable ones.
One kid asked to go to Best Buy and Red Lobster, which we all thought was kind of funny, but he got a shopping spree at Best Buy and hopefully got some cool stuff!
One wish just read "Mickey with Marshmallows." I didn't see what it ended up being, but I don't see how it could have gone wrong.
One kid wanted to travel along the Orient Express.
One girl wanted to be a "puppy doctor," which was adorable if only for its phrasing.
There were also lots of room makeovers, concerts/sports events, vacations to Hawaii/France/etc. It was a cool gig!
Michael C. Hall Is Starring In A One-Night-Only Broadway Musical About Skittles—And No, We're Not Making This Up

Super Bowl Sunday: it's the only time when commercials are more popular than the show they interrupt. However, this year's best ad might not even be on TV.
Funny, irreverent, and sometimes controversial, Super Bowl ads have become as much of an event as the big game itself. Even those who don't watch football will tune in and watch as brands fight it out for the most talked about commercial of the year.
For advertisers though, getting your ad in front of one of the largest television audiences out there doesn't come cheap. A 30-second spot for this year could cost up to $5 million!
Candy maker Skittles decided to skip the Super Bowl and head for Broadway. For one-night-only, Skittles The Musical will appear on Broadway starring everyone's favorite serial killer, Dexter actor Michael C. Hall. No, we're not kidding.
The concept has so many people scratching their heads that Skittles needed to make another ad just to explain it.
Skittles The Musical ))) Starring Michael C. Hall www.youtube.com
Anxious over appearing in the musical Hall sits down with a therapist, who like the rest of us is not exactly sure what it is. Hall explains the 30 minute advertisement is a real musical, you even have to buy tickets to go see it.
At one point Skittles even takes a self-deprecating jab at themselves and Hall, implying the musical is a terrible career decision.
After all, who is going to pay $207 a ticket to go see a 30 minute advertisement for Skittles?
A whole lot of people apparently
Tickets to the performance at the Town Hall theater in New York are almost sold out. People may not know what's going on, but they are ready to taste the rainbow.
@Skittles I’m ready! Purchased my tickets #SkittlesTheMusical— Corey (@Corey) 1548091647.0
@playbill @Skittles https://t.co/uo9aLkDV2f— robbie. (@robbie.) 1548135341.0
@playbill @Skittles My mind is blown and my heart is warmed. How fun! “Broadway the rainbow” indeed ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜— Allison Wonderland (@Allison Wonderland) 1548185407.0
If someone takes me to see skittles the musical I'll love them forever.— ☆Bambi☆ (@☆Bambi☆) 1548218569.0
On its surface Skittles The Musical may just look like an over the top gag from a brand known for its unusual marketing, but Skittles recruited some serious Broadway talent to put it together including playwright Will Eno and a cast straight from some of the biggest shows on Broadway.
According to Skittles the show will take "an absurdly self-reflective look at consumerism and the ever-increasing pervasiveness of brand advertising in our lives."
And if that wasn't enough Skittles will also be donating all the proceeds from the show to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Skittles parent company will match that donation up to $50,000. You had our attention Skittles, now you have our interest.
Wait so rather than spend a bucket load of 💰to take out a 30sec ad during the SuperBowl, @Skittles will present a L… https://t.co/OVnNQfQ506— Christopher D. Clegg (@Christopher D. Clegg) 1548096836.0
@cadimy @playbill @Skittles If you read the article, it addresses that they're doing a short show in lieu of a supe… https://t.co/3Hxm2lNLyI— a dope ghost (@a dope ghost) 1548094203.0
@lnternetqueer @playbill @Skittles well that's quite neat!— 🦇 (@🦇) 1548094980.0
There is no telling how a commercial/Broadway musical from the bizarre minds over at Skittles will turn out, but it's guaranteed to be an performace like Broadway has never seen before.
Arkansas High School Suspends Student Paper For Publishing 'Disruptive' Investigation Into Shady Football Transfers
Halle Roberts is the editor-in-chief of the Har-Ber Herald, the school newspaper for Springdale High School in Arkansas. The 17-year-old student was suspended after she wrote an investigative piece criticizing the transfer of five football players to a rival school.
Players are not allowed to be transferred to a different school because they would like to play for a different team. They are allowed to transfer only for academic reasons. So Roberts got to digging. Her paper filed FOIA requests and received official information from the Arkansas Activities Association saying that the students were transferred for academic reasons. However, the students themselves said otherwise.
Roberts quoted one student in her paper saying:
"We just want to go over there because we have a better chance of getting scholarships and playing at D1."
Another student told Roberts:
"I just feel like it's better for my future to go out there and get college looks."
Soon after the report was published, the superintendent of the district, Jim Rollins, asked the teacher advisor for the school paper, Karla Sprague, to take the story down. She obliged.
Rollins wrote a letter stating that the piece was:
"intentionally negative, demeaning, derogatory, hurtful and potentially harmful to the students addressed in those articles."
Roberts, undeterred, is still working on a new edition of the story that includes the school's censorship.
Mike Hiestand of the Student Press Law Center had this to say:
"School officials at this point seem to me to have completely thrown up their hands and said, ‘we’re not going to l… https://t.co/PgVYFlVAlM— Amber Jamieson (@Amber Jamieson) 1543687827.0
And Halle Roberts, who dreams of being an ESPN reporter, stated:
“They are like ‘well you raised an uproar, we’re going to try and silence you,’” said Halle Roberts, 17, the editor… https://t.co/6dKFeF0so4— Amber Jamieson (@Amber Jamieson) 1543690272.0
People were impressed with Roberts.
@hallecole21 @BuzzFeedNews I'm so proud of you! You're not just fighting for yourself, you're fighting for student… https://t.co/hjVIvzstZ1— 🌺Lisa Daily is writing⛱ (@🌺Lisa Daily is writing⛱) 1543718652.0
@hallecole21 @BuzzFeedNews I shared your story on my Facebook page and am so proud of you kids for telling the stor… https://t.co/9gekpHSwey— Derryl Trujillo (@Derryl Trujillo) 1543694164.0
@hallecole21 @BuzzFeedNews Keep up the fight Halle!!— Katie Maner (@Katie Maner) 1543762811.0
Some had harsh words for the school's administration.
@BuzzFeedNews @KatinaParon The principal and the superintendent should be fired, not the teacher. And the students… https://t.co/AfE6JTmowp— Jody Beck (@Jody Beck) 1543754569.0
@ambiej @BuzzFeedNews Abuse of power by the school administration— Lovehersports50 (@Lovehersports50) 1543686742.0
@ambiej Hey @sdaleschools School board members. Why are you allowing Arkansas Har-Ber High School Principal Paul Gr… https://t.co/8pdT0St1FO— Nancy Levine (@Nancy Levine) 1543693785.0
And most had high praise for Roberts and the other student journalists working on this piece.
A great example of investigate student journalism, and why it needs more recognition. https://t.co/s4MBLn0HiN— Gabija Gataveckaitė (@Gabija Gataveckaitė) 1543692451.0
Much to appreciate about @ambiej’s reporting on this Arkansas school district’s effort to suppress a high school pa… https://t.co/fIk5vTaWCZ— Pat Berry (@Pat Berry) 1543688372.0
High school students do real journalism, school district immediately tries to shut them down, despite state law gua… https://t.co/HqOgXTv1bl— Jeff Amy (@Jeff Amy) 1543692270.0
Oh this is the good stuff. I love this editor. Great work. Stand for journalists. https://t.co/QlrTTzrqs8— Scott Lewis (@Scott Lewis) 1543693549.0
And Halle Roberts herself closed by saying:
thank you so much. #freedomofthepress https://t.co/LsjWT7nycD— halle roberts (@halle roberts) 1543685392.0
Fight on, Halle!
This Store Clerk's Reaction To A Stolen Sneaker Prank Should Earn Him Employee Of The Month
Twitter user @HarvinthSkin decided to give a sales associate as his local shoe store a heart attack with a silly prank. All over the internet, people are sharing the prank and sending their well-wishes to the poor worker who experienced a moment of pure panic!
I had to give it a try? 😂🤷🏾♂️ Instagram : @harvinthskin https://t.co/Am45kGWYLQ— Harvinth Skin (@Harvinth Skin) 1543237039.0
Don't worry too much about the unfortunate sales employee, however—it turns out he was given a raise as a consolation shortly thereafter!
I apologised and gave man like Martin a hug after that! 😂😂😂 JD Sports, give him a raise! 💵 Do not try this unless you’re Zizan ⛔️— Harvinth Skin (@Harvinth Skin) 1543238141.0
The owner of the shoe store made clear to Skin that his employees were not to be messed with.
IM SO HAPPY THAT MAN LIKE MARTIN IS SEEN HERE WITH THE BOSS OF JD SPORTS ASIA AND IS GETTING A RAISE FOR HIS VALIAN… https://t.co/vL5QO2xCB5— Harvinth Skin (@Harvinth Skin) 1543300966.0
The Big Boss of JD Sports MY! Fuck me 😂😂😂🙃🙃🙃 https://t.co/nq3O0bdS92— Harvinth Skin (@Harvinth Skin) 1543239495.0
On Twitter, people loved the sales clerk's reaction to Skin running out of the store.
@harvinthskin That sales be like https://t.co/0i27D7vIWK— Ignasius Kurniawan (@Ignasius Kurniawan) 1543239042.0
@harvinthskin Best one yet cause he went out the store lmao— Andradé (@Andradé) 1543265867.0
Some thought they may have reacted differently in the same situation...
@harvinthskin @thirdeyescribe Me watching you run out of the store like https://t.co/31kkJcHjOV— The Count 🙎🏼♂️ (@The Count 🙎🏼♂️) 1543370777.0
But everyone got a good laugh out of the innocent prank.
@harvinthskin @kxsxhh This shit was so funny....it made my day— Manvir (@Manvir) 1543247327.0
@harvinthskin @queenb0414 😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/bejrX57i6w— 💙 (@💙) 1543275269.0
@harvinthskin @iced_coffeee https://t.co/bqP08ZK3r9— Manuel Jr. (@Manuel Jr.) 1543358200.0
The incident also gave us some priceless reactions!
@harvinthskin “whew my bruce lee almost came out” https://t.co/SOUOZ4IzBE— Nyree. (@Nyree.) 1543344926.0
@harvinthskin @ClassyyMocha 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤦♂️Saw his whole life n last paycheck that fast!!— ♈FZA of FUPA-Tang Clan🇧🇿 (@♈FZA of FUPA-Tang Clan🇧🇿) 1543288463.0
@sofarhangone @harvinthskin @ChiSupreme @llma95_ Run up? More like run out!! https://t.co/HwHu2TT4vO— Desi Kubrick (@Desi Kubrick) 1543320755.0
Remember, everyone: it's important to try before you buy!
@harvinthskin @mjcz1 @LeeODell84 @reevesyboi93 try before you buy. why not— 494949494949 (@494949494949) 1543512590.0
George R.R. Martin Just Confirmed A Popular 'Game Of Thrones' Fan Theory About White Walkers
Game of Thrones scribe George R.R. Martin is promoting his new book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, and provided insight into a group of characters fans have been waiting to learn more about.
As an author known to inject symbolism into the fantastical worlds he creates, Martin revealed that the icy group of White Walkers from Game of Thrones personified climate change.
What the ancient humanoid race of icy creatures stand for is a concept many have theorized all along.
Now fans received confirmation from the author himself.
Martin may have prognosticated climate change while he was writing GoT. The cold that transcends upon Westeros sounds eerily familiar.
"It's kind of ironic," Martin told the New York Times.
"Because I started writing 'Game of Thrones' all the way back in 1991, long before anybody was talking about climate change."
"But there is — in a very broad sense — there's a certain parallel there. And the people in Westeros are fighting their individual battles over power and status and wealth."
He added:
"And those are so distracting them that they're ignoring the threat of 'winter is coming,' which has the potential to destroy all of them and to destroy their world."
"And there is a great parallel there to, I think, what I see this planet doing here, where we're fighting our own battles. We're fighting over issues, important issues, mind you — foreign policy, domestic policy, civil rights, social responsibility, social justice. All of these things are important."
Martin continued:
"But while we're tearing ourselves apart over this and expending so much energy, there exists this threat of climate change, which, to my mind, is conclusively proved by most of the data and 99.9 percent of the scientific community. And it really has the potential to destroy our world."
"And we're ignoring that while we worry about the next election and issues that people are concerned about, like jobs."
Marten stressed the importance of caring for the environment, adding that protecting it should be a top priority.
"So really, climate change should be the number one priority for any politician who is capable of looking past the next election."
"We spend 10 times as much energy and thought and debate in the media discussing whether or not N.F.L. players should stand for the national anthem than this threat that's going to destroy our world."
When the author was asked if he could "pick the best real-world, present-day match — politicians, celebrities" and pair them up with corresponding characters from his novels, Martin answered: "Pass."
Fire and Blood: 300 Years Before a Game of Thrones, is expected to be released on November 20.
H/T - NYtimes, Twitter, Mentalfloss











