Olympic wishes

UAW-GM wish kids
Kevin was just one of seven children who experienced the Winter Olympic Games courtesy of a generous sponsorship package from UAW-GM. Of all the things in the world-places to go, people to meet, things to have, they chose Salt Lake City 2002!

Kevin came here partly to see snow for the first time. Meanwhile, Neal came excited to witness the luge event-a big fan, he even has his own luge at home in Pennsylvania, where he races in underage events with his brother. And UAW-GM even made it possible for him to meet athletes from the US luge team. Also present were Jackie, age 10, from Whittier, California; Jason, 12, from Valley Stream, New York; and Christopher, age 15, from Steamboat Springs, Colorado. All four children were thrilled when the athletes surprised them with commemorative gold medals bearing the Olympic rings. "Where's the medals plaza?" Jackie teased, pretending to prepare herself for an official ceremony!

Jackie, Neal, Jason, and Christopher stayed long enough to enjoy luge, men's figure skating, ski jumping, snowboarding and ice hockey. Kevin, who came all the way from Lithoria, Georgia, had never seen snow. Also excited by the prospect of watching Olympic events, he chose to come to Utah to do experience both snow and the Winter Games at the same time. He too got to see various events, but the highlight of his trip was undoubtedly the one-on-one time he spent with Picabo Street, gold medallist in downhill at the Nagano games, over breakfast one morning in Park City. Following in these kids' footsteps came Paul, 19, from Rochester, NY; and Mark, 17, from Corapolis, PA. All had a blast as they experienced the bustling, colorful and always exciting atmosphere that surrounded the world's ultimate festival of winter sports.

A Utah wish kid too...
Patrick was in renal failure and also waiting for a heart transplant, so he was unable to fulfill the sunny Mexico travel wish he had hoped for. He was deeply disappointed and had given up on wishing at all, as a matter of fact, until the publicity building toward the Olympics changed his mind.

A great golfer and baseball player, Patrick loved sports; but his illness had dashed his hopes of a baseball scholarship he had been offered. At the last minute, he told us that he would like to see the Winter Games. The Olympics would be a sports experience of a very high caliber--not the same as the scholarship, perhaps, but wonderful all the same. And the venue might be colder than Cancun, but it was right here in Salt Lake and he could do it. He told us he wished to attend the Games.

By now it was late January, much too late to include another family in the UAW-GM sponsorship. Locally, good tickets were gone. Accommodations were committed as far as 90 miles from Salt Lake in all directions. That was the moment when a wonderful shower of Olympic tickets arrived in our office from many far-flung directions. Suddenly Patrick's Olympic wish became possible, and Patrick got to see ice hockey, alpine skiing, and closing ceremony tickets. Thanks to our generous donors, we were able to create a wonderful wish experience for Patrick, both in Salt Lake and in Park City, and in the nick of time. Now Patrick waits for his biggest gift of all -- the heart transplant that will give him a sporting chance at life.

Robert, from San Diego
Robert came from the San Diego chapter to enjoy the Olympics. An impressive young man, Robert's non-Hodgkins lymphoma is now in remission, and he is able to indulge his passion for sports. He was particularly excited about the ice hockey and snowboarding events. Combines hopes to use his sports enthusiasm (he's an avid roller hockey, baseball, and golf player) in a career in broadcast journalism, and is well on his way to success with his experience in public speaking which includes a slot on Kidstalk Sports in San Diego, and engagements for the Leukemia Society and City of Hope.

Peggy Fleming shares time with (L-R) Christopher, Neal, Jason, and Jacqueline. (Photo courtesy of Elsa Hasch/Getty Images.)	A local television reporter questions Jacqueline about her Make-A-Wish experience while her friend, Hannah, looks on. (Photo courtesy of Harry How/Getty Images.)
Family members (back row, L-R) Jami, Charles, (front row, L-R) Clayton, and Neal enjoy their autograph session with Fleming. (Photo courtesy of Elsa Hasch/Getty Images.)	Luge teammates (back row, L-R) Becky, Ashley, Tony, and Adam get to know wish kids (front row, L-R) Jacqueline, Neal, Jason, and Christopher. (Photo courtesy of Harry How/Getty Images.)