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University of Maine at Presque Isle Volume 42 Issue 3
Journalism for Northern Maine Visit us at utimes.umpi.edu
OCTOBER 11, 2013
Walking for Wishes Nicole Duplessis STAFF WRITER
On Sept. 19, people of all ages gathered in the Multipurpose Room of the Campus Center for the Make-A-Wish foundation’s Walk for Wishes. This is the third year the walk has been held at UMPI, and the Walk for Wishes is a nationwide event. “Wish families,” volunteers, donors and friends of the organization put on the event. UMPI is one of the 75 locations that hosts this walk, and it proved to be a great success. Make-a-Wish grants wishes for children between the ages of two and a half and 18 diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions in the U.S. On average, they grant a wish every 38 minutes, and you can help make these wishes come true! There
are lots of ways to make a difference, including by participating in one of the 75 walks held throughout the U.S. visiting www.wish.org or by making a d o n a t i o n . “We’ve always received a lot of support from the University,” Peter Lento, a volunteer at the event as well as a member of a wish family, said. Around 20 to 30 people came out for the event. People began sporting their blue Walk for Wishes t-shirts, and the excitement in the room was t r e m e n d o u s . “It’s so nice to have UMPI participate,” Marilyn Carey, a volunteer, said. Carey expressed how rewarding being a part of the Make-a-Wish foundation is. She talked about her experiences and
The entire group before the walk.
the joy it has brought her to see children’s wishes come t r u e . “It’s probably the most rewarding thing to see the expression on children’s faces,” Carey said. After everyone arrived, photos were taken. The group then made their way outside for their walk around the campus. It was a beautiful night for it, and it was a great chance for the kids to let go of some energy. The walk lasted about twenty minutes. Everyone gathered back into the Multipurpose Room afterward. Organizers handed out prizes Peter and announced the grand total. Thanks to donors, they raised around $1,100. This money goes toward children getting their wishes. It was amazing to see a community work together for such a wonderful cause. Not only did these people help raise money to grant wishes, but they also “walked the talk” by coming together and acting out their s u p p o r t .
Lento handing out door prizes after the walk.
Letting their energy out before the walk!