Whether it's a trip to Disneyland, or the chance to meet a favourite athlete or celebrity, or even something simple like a bathtub full of candy, the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada has been making dreams come true since 1985.
Oct. 16, the Battlefords will have the opportunity to grant a wish of their own as the community hosts its first Wishmaker's Walk for Wishes.
"I just think it's a great cause," said Rena Fauchon-Smockum, who is volunteering her time to organize the event.
When Fauchon-Smockum heard the organization was looking for people to co-ordinate the nation-wide event in their own communities, she was quick to hop on board, as she's seen the organization at work in the Battlefords.
"I knew there were kids in our community that have already used it," she said.
The walk will begin and end at Eiling Kramer Campground, with registration at 10 a.m., the walk at 11 a.m. and a celebration and barbecue at noon.
"It's a leisurely walk," said Fauchon-Smockum. "Families are going to have strollers, kids can ride their bikes; it's not hard-core or anything."
Every community hosting a Wishmaker's Walk for Wishes has a goal of raising $10,000, which is the average cost of one wish.
That goal could be met if each resident of the Battlefords donated 51 cents.
Joanne King, fundraising co-ordinator for CWFC, said the organization grants wishes for children between the ages of three and 17 who have a high-risk, life-threatening condition.
"It gives a child the opportunity to have something to look forward to," explains King, saying most terminally ill children have only a seemingly endless round of visits to the doctor, needles, surgeries and treatments to look forward to.
The Children's Wish Foundation started the Wishmaker's Walk for Wishes six years ago, and the event has been steadily growing.
This year, over 100 communities across the nation will be hosting a walk, with 13 of those in Saskatchewan.
Last year a total of $1.4 million was raised through the event, $200,000 of which was raised in Saskatchewan. King is hoping the event will raise just as much this year.
To take part in the walk, people need only to collect pledges and show up at Eiling Kramer Campground to register at 10 a.m., Oct. 16.
Pledge forms are available at www.childrenswish.ca, where participants can also register online if they choose. Prizes are offered based on the amount of money raised, ranging from t-shirts to gift cards.
