NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) -- Christmas is just two days away, and many people are still doing their holiday shopping and finishing their final preparations. But it's not too late to spread (or receive) some holiday cheer.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation has brought back its Holiday Wish Line for a second year to spread hope and joy as part of the nonprofit's "Wishful Giving" campaign. The telephone hotline, which will run until December 31, which will be running un features pre-recorded messages from wish kids (including one from Grand Forks) intended to light up callers' days whenever they need some joy.
The Holiday Wish Line encourages people to enjoy heartfelt messages that promote togetherness and celebrate the holiday spirit. People planning to host their families, or those who are traveling and have to buy a lot of gifts, might feel anxiety from societal and personal expectations. The hotline inspires a joyful season for everyone who calls, and offers advice to those who need it.
"The Holiday Wish Line was created to give people hope and encouragement during the holiday season," said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. "There's no one better suited to deliver these positive messages than our wish kids whose transformative wishes allowed them to experience the power of hope while battling a critical illness. The Holiday Wish Line allows anyone, at any time, to receive a dose of hope, which can help mitigate feelings of stress during a difficult time."
Below is a list of the wish kids that are taking part in this year's hotline program.
Proceeds raised through the holiday season will allow wish kids like the ones on the hotline to experience the long-lasting impact of a wish. Wishes can help give children hope, in addition to building the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness.