By Teresa Brummet

Online Editor

SPRINGFIELD – In March, The Make-A-Wish-Foundation will be having a  presentation at which a local Jacksonville, Illinois, family will have a wish granted. The 4-year-old boy, who has a chronic illness and wished to go to Disneyland, will have that day thanks to some local Lincoln Land college students

Nine students from Jacksonville Lincoln Land College recently helped this family out by collecting six thousand dollars so that they would get that wish of going to Disneyland in August. And with a great determination to help this family that’s just what these students accomplished.

Chriswell who is their teacher said she couldn’t be more proud of her students and all of their hard work. But to be able to collect this amount of money in such a very short time of three weeks is overwhelming for these students with disabilities.  

Chriswell commented saying “ Dream BIG—then go out and be creative enough to make it happen because we never know what we’re capable of doing until we try and try and NEVER GIVE UP!After all, half the battle is helping the students believe they can do it—just as I believe in each of you!”

The Make-A-Wish-Foundation, helps children who are battling diseases and other medical conditions, granting them a wish.

The collaboration started 35 years ago in 1981 when Disney granted its first official “Wish Kid,” Frank “Bopsy” Salazar, his wish. It helped the 7-year-old boy who wanted to be a fireman, ride in a hot-air balloon and go to Disneyland. Salazar died of leukemia in 1981.

Going to Disney world hasn’t been the only type of wishes made. Others include being a Police Officer, a Firefighter, an NFL player, a cowboy, visiting Knotts Berry Farm, meeting Princess Diana, going to Antarctica and swimming with dolphins.

If fact President Ronald Reagan was the first president to give a Wish Kid her wish, where she was allowed to light the National Christmas Tree.

In making wishes come true, by the year 2000, there had been 80,000 wishes that had been granted to children across America. And as of Oct. 8, 2015, the foundation had celebrated 30 years of wishes in our home state of Illinois.

While making kids and their families dreams come true, Disney and the Make-A-Wish Foundation have worked together, making 100,000 wishes come true.

Now with Disney is celebrating its 60th, Disney is having a promotion if you take a picture with Mickey ears or something that resembles Mickey ears and post #shareyourears to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, it will donate $5, up to $1 million to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  

Let’s get taking photos and donate in honor of these extraordinary students and the teacher that pushes them to “Never give up” and “Dream Big” because teachers have a way of shaping our lives when we least expect it.

Teresa Brummett can be reached at [email protected]