Both Brooke James and Karlee Cromer said they were familiar with the Make-A-Wish Foundation prior to attending Texas Tech. Both became members of Chi Omega once in Lubbock and said it was the sorority’s ties to the non-profit that drew them to Chi O. Since then, they said, their work with Make-A-Wish has been focused on fundraising.
“Throughout Chi O we’ve been working towards making money and everything for Make-A-Wish,” Cromer explained. “But whenever we got the opportunity to do the wish granting, it kind of all made it come to life and I could see where all of our work was going and it was (like) really cool!”
Cromer and James underwent training to become wish granters. Wish granters meet with children to determine their wish, then work closely with the Make-A-Wish staff to make that wish come true. Shortly after completing the necessary training, the two were matched with Madison.
“I was having a bad day that day and it just turned it all around when I got to meet Madison and her family,” Cromer said. “They’re great!”
They learned the 12-year-old already had her mind made up: she wished to swim with the dolphins.
“She really loves the movie Dolphin Tale. Her wish is to swim with Winter the dolphin or to meet Winter the dolphin, which is the character on the movie. That’s what she really wanted to do.”
Cromer and James submitted Madison’s request and Make-A-Wish agreed to make it possible. In May, the two planned a surprise party for the 12-year-old to reveal the news.
“We made cookies, a little cookie plate and so they could make their own cookies, got a cake,” James explained.
“She was just all smiles the entire time, like I honestly did not see her one time without a smile on her face,” Cromer added.
Both Cromer and James agree that granting wishes is fulfilling and they’re looking forward to doing it again.
“It’s really rewarding and all it takes is your time,” James said.
“It was awesome just to see her face light up and every time she sees us to get so happy… it’s just so gratifying that we can do that for her.
To learn more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, including volunteer opportunities, call the Lubbock office at (806) 785-9474.
