LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT...
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In this 15th celebratory year of Western Wishes, what can I say? It’s 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… again. 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 it will make you realize why we do what we do to brighten the lives of these exceptional kids. The book will be offered as a gift for a $25 membership to Western Wishes. 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, as we always say, ambassadors of hope to other kids.

Equally important, is the formation of state chapters in 2009 and 2010. The independent chapters will prove to impact far more kids and special programs will be implemented, putting the American Cowboy in a positive light, and adhering to our motto: Leaving a Legacy of Goodwill—The Cowboy Way!

One thing you will notice in the coming year is a strong faith-based agenda with the intent of arming kids and parents with materials from writers who realize that these are perilous times, and we are in a culture war to save our kids! Soon, a news feature called WorldNetWestern, will bring compelling stories that will sometimes get your heart pumping and your blood pressure soaring! Now more than ever, we need to be bold and stand up for truth.

There is a saying: “A setback is just a set-up for a comeback”. When I look back and trace the hand of God in all of this, I now realize that God had a purpose and a plan to expand my area of influence for a reason. When all I could see is a God-imposed sabbatical, I later saw it as an amazing season to strengthen a vision. With an exceptional working board of directors who share that vision, the goals are clearly defined. Even in this sick economy, we all seem to have that feeling of expectation that something great is around the corner ….God’s up to something!

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 grassroots for 15 years to a level that will impact the western world and beyond!

Warmest Regards,

Donnalyn Quintana
President/Founder
Western Wishes
 

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