Since it was organized six years ago, the Ship Wish Ride has raised $14,751.11 for area children in severe medical situations, and an additional $5,250 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House in Hershey.
In addition, the local group has for the first time donated $3,400 to sponsor a wish for a local child through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Fifteen-year-old Wily Hernandez of Chambersburg will receive his wish through the foundation, thanks to the Ship Wish Ride's help.
Wily, who suffers from seizures after the removal of a brain tumor, has not yet decided on his wish, although his list of considerations includes meeting either a professional soccer player from Argentina or a disc jockey tech or taking a trip.
"We have saved for six years to grant a wish to a Make-A-Wish child in our group's coverage area," says Kim Cressler, Ship Wish Ride president. "Our money has been earmarked for him, but Make-A-Wish has to approve his wish according to their guidelines."
Fundraisers
The Ship Wish Ride committee holds two major fundraisers each year. The annual ride is a motorcycle caravan from Shippensburg to Saunderosa Campground in Mercersburg. The group also sponsors a benefit bingo at the Shippensburg Firefighters Activity Center.
All proceeds benefit area families with children in severe medical situations living in the group's coverage area, which includes Shippensburg, Chambersburg, Waynesboro, Mercersburg, Greencastle, McConnellsburg and Newburg.
Helping children
This year, 5-year-old Baden Rininger, son of Tara Harris and Brett Rininger of Shippensburg, and Corbin Troia, 3, and his 7-month-old sister, Alyssa, children of Winter and James Troia of McConnellsburg, received $1,000 each.
Baden suffers from a cancer called neuroblastoma, and Corbin and Alyssa were diagnosed with metachromatic leukodystrophy, a rare disease that destroys the nervous system.
Baden is a kindergarten student at Nancy Grayson Elementary School. Cressler reports that he was initially treated at Penn State Hershey Medical Center and then referred to a hospital in Philadelphia, where he has improved "leaps and bounds from where he was."
Cressler says that Corbin is undergoing treatment, but Alyssa unfortunately died earlier this year.
"Alyssa was the first one who passed away in our six years of doing this," she says.
Looking ahead
Despite the sadness that comes from losing a recipient, Cressler is happy that the Ship Wish Ride is able to have such a positive influence on so many people.
"I feel good about what we're doing," she says. "Alyssa and Corbin's parents are going to start up their own organization to help children with severe medical needs. They want to give back to the community for what people have done for their children.
"That says a lot - that they were so impressed by what we did to give back," she added.
The Ship Wish Ride committee is now busy preparing for next year's fundraisers. The basket bingo will be held March 25 and the ride is set for June 9.
The group also plans to donate another wish to a local child, although the cost has recently increased to $3,900.
For more information, go to www.shipwishride.com.
