The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, but they would not be able to grant the wishes of the many qualified children in the Rio Grande Valley without the support of local individuals, businesses and organizations. The Hidalgo County Young Lawyers Association has been keenly aware of the importance of giving hope, strength, and joy to these very deserving children for several years and pledge their support by doing an annual fund-raiser to assure at least one child receives his or her wish.

This year’s HCYLA’s monster bash was the largest success in the young lawyer’s history, netting $8,486, almost enough to grant two special children’s wishes. (The average wish cost is $4,500.)

Thirteen year old Jose Zamora was one of the children whose wish to go to Disney became a reality through Make-A-Wish Foundation and the support of the Hidalgo County Young Lawyers Association. This time allowed Jose and his family a chance to forget about all the surgeries and long hospital stays and enjoy time together as a family again. The President of the Young Lawyers Association, Linley Boone and board member, Eric Rodriguez, even showed up at the airport to greet Jose as he returned from his great adventure. Jose was all smiles as he told them about his magical experiences at the “happiest place on earth”.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation had planned to grant a wish to little 4 year old Emily last June. All reservations had been made-every t crossed and every i had been dotted. Emily went back to visit the doctor for one more check up before setting out on her big adventure to meet Tinker Bell, her favorite, and all the princesses at Disney World. However, overnight, her little smile was turned upside down, as was her life. The doctor said her trip would have to wait.

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Shopping Spree of a Lifetime!
When asked the question, “If you could have one wish…If you could go anywhere, meet anyone, have anything, or do anything, what would you want more than anything in the world?”, Joselin Alejandra Barrera, better known as Ale, did not hesitate to tell the wish grantors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation exactly what she had in mind. Ale was all about electronics! Her main thoughts were focused around a big screen TV, video ipod, and the much coveted Wii. She loves Best Buy and wanted to go on a shopping spree to choose all her favorite things. Best Buy manager, Antonio Torres and staff, were waiting with anticipation for Ale’s arrival.

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Juan Daniel and Gilberto have always had a closer relationship than most siblings.  When most children have been outside playing ball, riding bikes, swimming, and playing with their brothers, sisters, and friends, Gilberto and Juan Daniel have shared each other’s company indoors.  Their very rare skin disease, Epidermolisis Vullosa, has forbidden them to be in the sunlight or heat.  (more…)