World Wish Day, on April 29th is a milestone for Make-A-Wish, as it is the anniversary of the day the first wish was granted, the wish of Chris in 1980. This day is celebrated in 50 countries around the world in a unique -and in some cases spectacular- way. In Greece we had the support of more than 93 Municipalities that lightened up a historical monument or a milestone of their towns for the celebration!
ΔΗΜΟΙ & ΣΗΜΕΙΑ ΦΩΤΑΓΩΓΗΣΗΣ
Grevena
Town Hall – City Clock Tower
Velventos
Town Hall
Giannitsa
Cultural Polycenter
Irakleio, Attica
Town Hall
Irakleio, Attica
Cultural Polycenter «Ilektras Apostolou»
Lamia
Athanasios Diakos Statue
Alonissos
Town Hall
Amfiklia – Elatia
Archaeological Collection of Elatia
Amfiklia – Elatia
“Krini of Horeftaria” of Amfiklia
Amfiklia – Elatia
Tirothea’s Balkoni
Anogeia
Clock with statue of Anogean Woman
Chersonissos
Lighthouse
Karpenisi
Town Hall
Megara
Town Hall
Kimi – Aliveri
PPC’s Chimneys
Pili
Town Hall
Amorgos
Town Hall
Livadeia
Clock Tower
Orestiada
Town Hall
Filothei – Psihiko
Zongolopoulos’ Umbrellas
Agios Efstratios
Town Hall
Spetses
Town Hall
Agios Dimitrios
Town Hall
Ermionida
Town Hall
Heroic Island of Kasos
Town Hall
LokronTown Hall
Fountain
Poros
Historic Sailing Ship Evgenios Eugenidis
Eretria
Heroes’ Monument Central Square
Megistis
Town Hall
Piraeus
Municipal theatre
Rodos
Town Hall
Nemea
Town Hall
Elefsina
Old Town Hall
Makrakomi
Town Hall
Thiva
Drakeios Library
Kifisia
Town Hall
Limnos
Town Hall
Veria
Town Hall
Aristotelis Minicipality
Cultural Center of Ierissos
Markopoulo
Mill
Edessa
Karanos’ Waterfall
We feel really glad for all the efforts and the support from the Minicipalities. The love we received from all around Greece exceeded our expectations!
Η Παγκόσμια Ημέρα Ευχής
That’ s how it all began…
From the wish of a mother to make her child’s dream come true.
In 1980, seven-year-old Chris from Phoenix, Arizona (USA) wanted to become a police officer. However, he suffered from leukemia and his life’s struggle had made him stop dreaming. He looked up to the police helicopter, which was the whole world to his eyes. “What if he could see the helicopter from up close?” thought his mother, Linda.
“What if he not only saw it but went a ride with it?” added the chief of the Phoenix, Arizona police department.
“What if we made him a uniform and got him through training?”
“What if we set up a high-speed chase and have him ‘arrest’ the bad guys?”
“And if he truly were a good officer, shouldn’t he be awarded for his work?” added his colleagues.
So, a bit by chance, but with lots of love and belief in his dream, Chris became a real police officer on April 29th , 1980.
Suddenly Chris was transformed. He appeared stronger, happier, and more optimistic about the next day. Tomorrow never came for Chris, but this initiative would change the world. A few months after that day, on her way to thank the officers and all who played a part in making her only child’s wish come true, Linda urged them to keep doing what they did for Chris for other children who faced a critical illness.
And everyone agreed. They met one afternoon at one officer’s home, chipped in whatever money they had on them, collected 76 dollars and founded Make-A-Wish!