Cole’s Special Evening

Cole is ten years old and wants to grow big, but his CF is draining his body from necessary nutrients and has prevented him from getting beyond 65 pounds.  Cole has gotten used to his daily meds and treatment, but is now adjusting to the recent implant of a feeding tube.  He is waiting to see how much weight he will gain.  Cole's wish has been granted. 

March 16 was a big night for Wishes & More^®  and a big night for Cole.  Cole is one of our first three wish kids, and this evening was the beginning of his wish and the beginning of our mission to grant wishes.  His wish?  To have a special shopping spree.

The evening began with a stretch limousine pulling up to Cole’s house to pick up him and his family.  Red carpet was rolled out just for Cole when they arrived at his favorite restaurant, The Red Lobster.  Twenty guests, those who love and care for Cole –including family members, three teachers, his home health aide and a hospital clinician – also showed up to share the special night.  Red Lobster employees, and even some customers who just happened to be there, joined in the festivities as well.

Karla Blomberg made the wish presentation, giving Cole the first $500 of his $2,500 shopping spree.  Cole’s big brown eyes lit up as Karla handed him the money.  He couldn’t wait to buy a new TV and collectibles of his favorite “Alien” and “Predator” characters – most of which can only be purchased on the Internet with credit cards.  In fact, Cole had the limo stop off at a store on the way home from the restaurant to begin his shopping spree. 

Cole’s evening was indeed special as evidenced by the big smile he wore the entire night and by the warm hugs that he distributed with boyish charm.

The second week, five volunteers on Harley’s delivered his next gift card.  Coordinated by volunteers, Gary and Laura Meyers, the motorcycles pulled up and Cole was fired up.  He put on his snowmobiling helmet and hopped on for a ride.  The volunteers invited Cole to the SRO summer party as the guest of honor and he will draw the winning ticket for a new Harley.  Cole can’t wait!

The third week brought volunteer, Dan Hayes, to Cole’s home for a couple of hours of visiting and showing off his purchases. 

The fourth week three of our teen volunteers showed up at Cole’s home.  They played with his newly purchased paint ball gun, met the frog that he bought, and checked out his room and other toys.  Cole invited them all to his birthday in June and said they were “really cool guys.”

Cole’s final presentation was held at the beginning of May.  The Minnesota State Troopers made the final presentation of his gift card. It was quite a site when 4 state trooper cars pulled up to Cole’s house. Cole showed the troopers the items he had purchased so far.  The troopers spent some time with Cole getting to know this very special young man.   What an amazing experience for Cole!

Cole will also be receiving a $1,000 Scholarship of Hope^™ certificate to help further his education down the road after high school.  The Scholarship of Hope is unique to Wishes & More.

A special thanks goes to the Minnesota State Troopers who have underwritten Cole’s wish.  The Troopers have long been friends of the wish granting concept and they were the first group to commit to sponsoring two wishes.  Trooper Eric Claussen joined Karla on the initial wish interview to determine Cole’s wish and Cole thought he was great.  Wishes & More thinks the entire Minnesota State Patrol Troopers Association is great!

ELK RIVER STAR NEWS (4/12/2005) "Wishes For Cole and a Whole Lot More"