Withee, O-W Enterprise 12/28/2016
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O-W ENTERPRISE
Copy Reduced to 66% from original to fit letter page
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
WITHEE, WISCONSIN
Kids Wish Network partners with the New England Patriots to grant
once-in-a-lifetime experience for Will Maki
Kids Wish Network, a children’s charity that grants wishes for kids with life
Kids Wish Network is a national charitable organization dedicated to infusthreatening illnesses, partnered with the New England Patriots to grant a Wish ing hope, creating happy memories and improving the quality of life for children
Kid’s dream of meeting members of the highly successful and storied franchise. having experienced life-altering situations. Visit www.kidswishnetwork.org to
Kids Wish Network learn more and find out how you can help make dreams come true and sponsor
granted Wish Kid Will a wish for a deserving child.
Maki’s forever wish by
sending Will and his
Mom and Dad to Foxborough, MA, where the organization worked with
the New England Patriots to arrange a special
meeting with All-Pro
quarterback Tom Brady.
The original plan had
been for Will to meet Rob
Gronkowski, who ended
up having surgery the
weekend Will was there,
but the Patriot’s organization and Kids Wish
Network didn’t miss a
beat. Will’s visit began
with a surprise meeting with Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert
Kraft, who gave Will
and his family a private
tour of his offices and
Will Maki on the sidelines at Gillette Stadium. (Photo courtesy of Wade Maki)
showed him the team’s
four Lombardi Trophies,
Will Maki with Patriot’s QB Tom Brady.
(Photo courtesy of Wade Maki)
eight conference championship trophies and
four Super Bowl rings. William’s own path of being a multi-sport athlete at
Owen-Withee unfortunately ended with a diagnosis of osteosarcoma, a type of
bone cancer that begins in the cells that form bones.
The heart-warming feeling of being able to grant a wish like this was really
felt by the four-time Super Bowl winning quarterback. When Will compared his
state championship ring to the Patriots’ Super Bowl rings, Brady explained,
“Hey, they all mean the same. It means you’re a champion too. That’s pretty cool.”
“The entire New England Patriots organization went above and beyond to
make this such a memorable experience for our Wish Kid Will,” said Anna Lanzatella, executive director for Kids Wish Network. “Imagine the thrill Will felt
when meeting a superstar like Tom Brady.”
Will received nothing less than VIP treatment for the entirety of his wish.
During the trip that took Will from his hometown in Wisconsin to Boston, Will
and his family were honored guests at the Hampton Inn Boston-Norwood. They
were also treated to wonderful and creative meals at The Chateau and British
Beer Company. To attend a VIP tour of Gillette Stadium the family was provided superb limo service by Above-All Transportation.
Will’s father Wade recalls the time spent with the organization stating, “It was
a really great experience and an opportunity to break away from the continual
medical appointments and treatments that have become Will’s life. He and Mom
Will Maki with parents Ann and Wade by the Patriot’s Lombardi Trophies.
were the most deserving of this trip; I was just glad to be able to tag along. During
(Photo courtesy of Wade Maki)
this behind the scenes
tour Will held three of
Local author CeCelia Zorn – continued from page 14
the massive replica Su- ative project they can choose two quotes from the book
The students I observed seemed to enjoy the
per Bowl Rings; then and illustrate them or compile a list of five songs that book and take a lot from it. As preparation for this
The Big
Will met and spoke with they feel illustrates a theme from the book and why.
article, I also read the book and found it engaging.
Ugly
Mr. Kraft the owner of
the
Patriots,
who
let
Will
&
try on an original Super
The
Bowl Ring. Later in the
“Squirrelly” evening, he met Tom
Brady who spoke with
Pork
Will, signed autographs
Come check out
and took pictures with
what’s in these unique, him. It was the highlight
of the visit along with
weirdly named, but
attending the Patriots
tasty dishes you’ll love! game the next day.”
The New England PaSERVED triots organization joins
a long list of celebrity
DAILY
organizations that have
supported Kids Wish
Network in making come
true the heartfelt wishes
(715)229-4400
of children facing life2nd hour freshman English class with CeCelia Zorn (on left). To welcome their guest, English teacher Ashley Lange had stu907 E. 3rd Street, Owen
threatening illnesses.
dents created the welcome poster on her behalf.
Try...
December 29, 2016 8:44 pm /