RCMP NL held the annual lighting of their 14-foot Wish Tree last night, with ten-year-old Wish Kid Abigale Latoszek flipping the switch to light the tree and officially mark the launch of the 2024 Wish Tree Campaign.
RCMP NL's Criminal Operations Officer, Chief Superintendent Pam Robinson spoke to the long history the RCMP has with Make-A-Wish.
"RCMP NL is delighted once again this holiday season to launch the annual Wish Tree Campaign," said Chief Superintendent Robinson. "We have been a proud partner of Make-A-Wish for 39 years and we are looking forward to another season of helping make wishes come true for the children of Newfoundland and Labrador. This evening is all about supporting the Make A Wish Foundation and the important work they do. On behalf of RCMP NL, I extend our deepest thanks to our employees, communities, businesses and organizations for their dedicated efforts in supporting the Wish Tree Campaign."
Participating RCMP NL detachments throughout the province will be collecting donations and lighting up their Wish Trees throughout the month of December, to raise money to grant wishes for children with critical illnesses or severe genetic or neurological conditions in the province. Since its inception, the RCMP NL Wish Tree campaign has raised over $500,000.00 in support of wishes for children in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Sonya Smith, Make-A-Wish NL Chapter Director, attended the lighting. "We are truly thankful to the RCMP for their Wish Tree campaign. This is 39 years they have been raising money in support of wish kids in Newfoundland and Labrador. Wishes play a vital role in a child's healing journey. Every 2 hours a child in Canada is diagnosed with a critical illness. Research shows that children who have wishes granted experience improved health outcomes and increased motivation to continue their treatment. The support of RCMP Wish Trees helps children and families stay strong in the face of adversity."
Other attendees included Make-A-Wish families, board members, RCMP employees and other supporters.
Stay tuned to RCMP NL social media to learn more about participating detachments in your area.
To donate to Make-A-Wish NL this holiday season, please bring donations to your local detachment or visit our website and choose the detachment closest to you: www.makeawish.ca/wishtrees