Western Wishes honors and strives to lift the spirits of
children and young adults faced with adversity who live and
love the western way of life. Highlighting these incredible
kids and making them special guests at rodeos, horse shows
and country music concerts is our objective. It is the
mission of Western Wishes to reward the fighting spirit of
courageous kids and share their compelling stories.
Since 1994, this award-winning program has had the
pleasure of turning dreams into lasting memories for these
inspiring kids. The common thread we find with most Western
Wishes kids is that they possess a fierce competitive
spirit. Focusing on their goals to recover from a severe
injury, adjust to life in a wheelchair or battle a deadly
disease, gives them a positive outlook on life. As such,
they become ambassadors of hope to others who are about to
begin the long road to recovery or who are preparing to face
the end of an already too-short life.
Western Wishes has designed a program to put these kids in
the spotlight. From Cheyenne to Fort Worth; the PBR World
Finals to the National Finals Rodeo, the program grows and
offers kids the opportunity to reach for the stars and have
their wishes come true. It is our sincere pleasure to
celebrate those who demonstrate such grit and determination
to “get back in the saddle” again and again; as well as to
pay tribute to those who valiantly fought long, hard
battles. World champion cowboys and country singers who have
hearts bigger than their names have brightened the lives of
countless kids who go home with memories that last a
lifetime.
Thanks for taking the time to learn about the program, and
may all your Western Wishes come true!
15-Year Anniversary Message From The President
In
this 15th celebratory year of Western Wishes, what can I
say? It has been the toughest job I ever loved and asked if
I’d do it again, with roller coaster emotions, funding
difficulties, politics and the heartbreak of losing these
kids, I’d do it again, and again and again.
Pictured with me is a special little boy from Utah by the
name of Wyatt. His parents, Loren and Lori, have become dear
friends of mine. I had always thought that we would have
Wyatt for many years to come—our Western Wishes poster
child. Wyatt packed a lot of life in his five short years,
and managed to touch many hearts, including Ty Murray,
Charmayne James and others. People thought that at five
years old, Wyatt would not know who Ty Murray was. When Ty
walked into the Wrangler Skybox at the Reno Rodeo in 1998,
his eyes lit up and he proceeded to tell Ty that he had seen
him recently on TV when he was bucked off on his head! Ty
chuckled, and said, “Well I guess I better ride this one
tonight for you”…and he did! We will never forget the
twinkle in his eye when Wyatt had his moment with his cowboy
hero.
Each
wish kid has had their own unique story of faith, strength
and perseverance. Every time I walked away from a wish, even
though I always thought I could do more, I was changed.
Determined to make this program impactful by communicating
those stories, Western Wishes made a shift from
success-driven to a clearly defined purpose-driven vision.
Our wish kids have been such a continual source of
inspiration—that is why Western Wishes will finally debut
the long-awaited book of the most inspiring stories since
1994. Western Wishes and Other Inspirations will truly touch
your heart in a way that will make you realize why we do
what we do to brighten the lives of these exceptional kids.
We believe that blessing people with this book series will
have a far-reaching effect and help strengthen the vision of
Western Wishes.
In the coming year, Western Wishes will be launching a ranch
program called “The Champion in You” at the Chris Cox Ranch
in Mineral Wells, Texas. The ranch program will inspire
kids, sending them out to be ambassadors of hope to other
kids.
Equally important, is the formation of Western Wishes state
chapters in 2009 and 2010. The independent chapters will
prove to impact far more kids, and special programs will be
implemented and aligned with our motto, “Leaving a Legacy of
Goodwill – The Cowboy Way!”
So
get ready for a wave of inspiration coming your way with an
amazing team of people who share the vision of making dreams
come true and reaching out to all kids in the western world
who are in need of HOPE. 1 Peter 3:15 reads, “Be prepared
always to have an answer for the HOPE that resides in you.”
Many kids who are not rooted and grounded in the things of
faith do not have a hope or a promise in their heart, and it
is the objective of Western Wishes to have a voice and
instill that hope to kids in the western world.
I believe that Western Wishes was placed in my heart for a
reason, and it is my obligation to take Western Wishes from
its grassroots, 15 years ago, to a level that will impact
the western world and beyond!
Warmest Regards,
Donnalyn Quintana
President/Founder
Western Wishes
Western Wishes is a 501(c)3 publically supported charity. Established in 1994, EIN # 88-0372669, your contribution is tax deductible and greatly appreciated.
