A family of philanthropists

Parents and children find new ways of giving to Children's Wish

PICKERING, ON, July 7, 2014 /CNW/ - Angela Stevenson is only 13-years-old and wants to give back to children in need.  For most of her young life, Angela has been donating about one-third of her allowance to The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, a charity devoted to granting the most heartfelt wish to children between the ages of three to 17, who have been diagnosed with a life threatening illness.

Her parents, Matthew and Mondy, have been intentional in passing on philanthropy as a family value.

When Angela heard that there was an opportunity to become more involved with Children's Wish, she leapt at the chance. Children's Wish sends a "wish box" to each child prior to their wish being granted. Each box is hand decorated with the child's name and drawings that are theme related to the wish. Angela was excited to be able to decorate some of the boxes.

One of the boxes is for three-year-old Yoali, whose most heartfelt wish is to go to Disney and be a Princess. Angela, mom, dad and five-year-old brother William sat together and decorated the box for Yoali.

For Angela, it is a more tactile and creative way of making a difference.

"I have been donating some of my allowance for as long as I can remember. It always made me feel good because I was helping a child who was usually my age. But decorating Yoali's wish box is extra special. At three, she has to deal with so much reality so it's nice to know that she gets to go on her wish trip and be a Princess. It's a chance for her to be a normal three-year-old again instead of dealing with her disease," Angela says.

Children's Wish is reliant on donations to grant the more than 1,100 wishes annually. The Ontario Region currently has over 600 pending wishes, and at an average of $10,000 each, is hopeful that more families will choose to donate to the mission.

"We are extremely grateful for Angela's ongoing support. Angela and her family represent a growing donor segment, that of kids helping other kids and families donating collectively to the cause. This family is particularly special because they have made philanthropy a family initiative. It's inspiring," says Sandra Harris, Director of Ontario Region of Children's Wish.

To learn more about ways to help, please visit: www.childrenswish.ca

The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada
Each year, thousands of Canadian children between the ages of three and 17 are diagnosed with a life threatening illness.  Since 1984, The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada has worked tirelessly to grant exceptional wishes to over 20,000 children and their families.

This year, the Foundation expects to grant over 1,000 new wishes and is proud to have never refused a wish to an eligible child, and with the help of volunteers and generous donors, is able to grant nearly three wishes every day.  Each wish is an individual adventure, carefully structured to meet the needs of a particular child and family. The Foundation is a national charity with chapters in every province and territory. Visit www.childrenswish.ca for more information.

SOURCE: The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada

Note to Editors / News Directors: For additional information or to request an interview, please contact:

Sandra Gregory 
Communications Specialist, Ontario Region
The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada
Mobile: [phone]
Email: [email protected]