Make-A-Wish 3c Adopts Erik's Harvest

The voice of: James Radina

"I was asked to write a story about a wish I am helping to grant for a magazine and I thought I would share it here. I hope you enjoy it, but most of all I hope you are inspired to help others."

Read more: https://www.stayclassy.org/blog/blog.php?blog_id=226

"Make A Wish" child wishes to help others

Erik was featured on San Diego's KUSI Season of Wishes. View the video on the station's website:

http://www.kusi.com/features/seasonofwishes/78378837.html

(Posted December 3, 2009)

Recent articles & blogs on Erik

Make-A-Wish 3c Adopts Erik's Harvest
The voice of: James Radina Posted Nov 03, 2009 @ 12:36 pm PST

Local teen who was granted his wish to help others
By BROOKE RUTH, Digital Media News Editor
Thursday, November 26, 2009 1:00 AM PST

What an Urban Garden Means for a Family in Zambia

See how an urban garden is changing the lives of a grandmother and the children in her care:

San Diego Union Tribute Recognizes Erik's Harvest, Project Concern, & Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish Milestones

Miley Cyrus is as down-to-earth and friendly as her reputation, concluded the family of 10-year-old Rancho Peñasquitos cancer patient KaSandra Dang. Hospitalized from April through August for treatment of a rare form of cancer, KaSandra was too ill to attend Cyrus’ September concert in Anaheim. But her health improved, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation flew her to Memphis, Tenn., late last month to briefly meet the 16-year-old singer and see her show.

“Miley stayed with us way longer than we had expected (about 10 minutes),” said Nicholas Stanton, who is engaged to KaSandra’s mom, Tuyet Bu. “She autographed as many things as we asked her to, and she posed for as many photos as we wanted.”

KaSandra even joined in the concert’s final song, “It’s the Climb,” voicing lyrics she lives out every day...

Another Make-a-Wish is being granted tonight at the Project Concern International gala at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Sixteen-year-old Erik Hernandez, an El Centro youth being treated for a chronic life-threatening condition following an automobile accident, said his wish was to feed the children of Africa. So, with a $3,000 check from Make-A-Wish, Project Concern is creating an Erik’s Harvest program to support urban gardens in Zambia and fish farming in Malawi.

“It’s the first time a child has chosen to grant his wish to someone else. He could have gone to Disneyland, met a star or done anything, said Project Concern’s Shawn Ruggeiro.

Singer Bonnie Raitt also will be at the event to present a Project Concern award to her friend, African singer Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi.

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See full story at www.signonsandiego.com
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/07/manchesters-la-jolla-home-is-selling-for-1815/

San Diego Social Magazine Features Erik

Make A Wish

Young professionals GIVE BACK with a unique platform…social mixers with a SOCIAL CONSCIENCE.

Patrons INVITED “Come for the Cause, Stay for the Connections” and grant WISHES TO CHILDREN WITH LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSES.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego has launched “3C,” an ambitious new philanthropic committee, and its current project is a prime example of Make-A-Wish’s long-celebrated heart and drive.

3C, also known as “The Committee for Cause and Connections,” was created in May of this year by a group of young professionals. They recognized the opportunity to attract a younger, more diverse demographic by hosting new fun and unique social events. The goal of this is to further the advancement of Make-A-Wish through the cultivation of future philanthropic generations. The bonuses of it are raising funds and company awareness, and providing cool new networking opportunities for young professionals.

Already, 3C is fulfilling their first granted wish…and it’s an amazing one. Erik (last name kept confidential) is a bright, benevolent 16-year-old, whose wish was as surprising as it was innovative. With a fervent desire to help others and an empathy for the thousands of starving children in Africa, Erik asked Make-A-Wish to help him find a way to provide food to those who desperately needed it.

Make-A-Wish contacted Project Concern International, a San Diego-based health and humanitarian organization whose worldwide programs are dedicated to preventing disease, improving community health and promoting sustainable development. Together, Make-A-Wish and Project Concern created a program called “Erik’s Harvest,” which will provide urban gardens and fish farms to impoverished communities throughout Zambia, Ethiopia, and Malawi.

Though “Erik’s Harvest” will soon be underway with funding from the proceeds of 3C’s first two events, additional donations are still necessary for its completion. On October 7 at 6 pm, 3C will be hosting their bi-monthly networking event at Lucky D’s in downtown San Diego. For a $20 donation, guests can enjoy boutique specialty appetizers, 2 complimentary bar beverages, great music by Lucky home DJ, various raffle items and the opportunity to share in this incredible undertaking.

Later, on November 7, Erik will be honored at a special event hosted by Project Concern, where he will have the opportunity to present his gift, sharing his story and his inspiration for it.

Volunteer and 3C Committee member James Radina says, “3C is so excited to adopt Erik’s wish and to support the work of Make-A-Wish. Every wish is special, but this one is truly inspiring, to see a child who has gone through so much, and yet has a heart for helping others.”

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The 3C Committee has pledged to grant 3 wishes in the upcoming year from the proceeds of every mixer and matching business/employee sponsorships. Thus far, they are well on their way to meeting that goal.

Donations to Make-A-Wish can be made by phone at (858) 707-9474 or by mail to: Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego,
5151 Murphy Canyon Rd., Ste. 110 San Diego, CA 92123.

For more information about this event, visit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of San Diego’s calendar section at www.wishsandiego.org or check out San Diego Social Magazine’s October issue. To purchase tickets, visit  3Clucky.eventbrite.com.

Article Taken From www.sdsocialmagazine.com
http://www.sdsocialmagazine.com/san-diego-social-magazine/10-2009/articles/make-a-wish.html

For more information about San Diego Social Magazine, call Marketing Director Robin Hatfield at 619-415-3058 or email Robin.Hatfield@SanDiegoSocial.info.

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Project Concern International (www.ProjectConcern.org) is a San Diego-based health and humanitarian organization dedicated to building healthy communities by preventing disease, improving community health, and promoting sustainable development. With over 48 years of experience, Project Concern International reached more than 4.5 million people in 2008 through life-saving programs in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.