STRAT Las Vegas Going Blue, Spreading Powerful Message For Nevada Kids
The STRAT Las Vegas is going blue this month as part of a worldwide initiative to help the Make-A-Wish foundation recruit more volunteers. On the local level, the blue represents the beginning of the “WishMakers Wanted” campaign for Southern Nevada.
When The STRAT Las Vegas Will Go Blue
The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower will be blue from 7 to 9 p.m. on April 1, 2024, as they help to kick off World Wish Month. The first of this month is when Make-A-Wish begins the initiative to recruit “Wishmakers” and donors in Southern Nevada. Globally, the campaign’s mission is to recruit 1 million new volunteers to help Make-A-Wish grant more wishes for children in need.
The Make-A-Wish organization’s “WishMakers” include anyone who helps a child’s wish to be granted. From the person who interviews the child to the person on the other side who tackles the logistics of making the wish happen. “WishMakers” also includes donors, volunteers, corporate partners, and community advocates. The Make-A-Wish foundation helps grant wishes for children with critical or life-threatening illnesses.
The Power Of A Child’s Wish
About twenty years ago, I was a Wish Granter for Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada. And I can confirm the power of these wishes for children who are facing a difficult journey. I remember one very special little girl, just five years old, who had a tumor wrapped around her spine. Not long after she got the hang walking down, this tumor took that privilege away from her.
This sweet little girl had to go through chemotherapy, hair loss, and having to use a tiny wheelchair. All at a time a child should be carefree. And every time I came to see her in the hospital, she didn’t talk about the chemo. Or how much her skin was hurting or how she didn’t have a hair on her head.
All she spoke of was her hope of getting better so she could go to San Diego and “meet Free Willy”. Meeting a orca whale was her wish. And looking forward to doing that one day was what this little girl thought about to get her through her difficult days in the hospital.
The little girl got better. And she did get on that plane and go to San Diego and meet an orca whale. That is the power of a child’s wish. It might not have happened without the help of the Make-A-Wish foundation. And even though it was two decades ago, I still remember it all like it was yesterday. That is the power of being part of making a child’s wish come true.
STRAT Helping Kick Off World Wish Month
World Wish Month is celebrated all of the month of April. The month long awareness movement coincides with World Wish Day, which is observed worldwide on April 29. In addition to the STRAT going blue on April 1, Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada will hold their 23rd annual “Walk-For-Wishes” this month to raise funds for the organization’s mission.
The 5K walk/run event will be held on Saturday, April 27 at Town Square. It is expected to bring 2,500 people in Southern Nevada together to support the MAW mission. To participate, or to learn more about becoming a “WishMaker”, click here.
Related: Help Las Vegas Babies By Being A Volunteer Snuggler
In addition to the STRAT, other properties in Las Vegas are also getting involved in World Wish Month. Including Paris Hotel and Casino’s Eiffel Tower and The Linq’s High Roller. Both will go blue at 5 p.m. on World Wish Day, April 29.