Staff Help Make Wishes Come True

There is a special magic in making a child's wish come true.

Creating that magic takes a little imagination, loads of enthusiasm, and the hard work of caring people such as employees of Nova Scotia liquor stores.

For the past three years Nova Scotia Liquor Commission store employees have held successful fund-raising campaigns for the Children's Wish Foundation. Altogether, they've so far raised about $42,000 through the generosity of the public.

"Many of the stores become very creative," said Cheryl Matthews, provincial director for the Nova Scotia chapter of the Children's Wish Foundation. "Stores have a lot of fun challenging one another with activities ranging from raffles to a fashion show. This fun translates into plenty of smiling faces for our wish children."

Said Ms. Matthews: "From some of this year's wish children -- like Starlene who met the Backstreet Boys, or Melissa who visited Mickey Mouse, or Matthew who swam with the dolphins -- thank you to the customers and staff of the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission for making their wishes come true."

NSLC store staff are already planning events and activities for their next fund-raiser, to be held this fall.

"We are very proud of all liquor commission employees who work so hard for this campaign," said Yvonne Melanson, NSLC director of merchandising services. "The Sydney Welton Street liquor store staff deserve special congratulations for consistently raising the most money each year of the campaign."

The Nova Scotia chapter of the Children's Wish Foundation has been able to realize more than 225 wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. The most requested wishes are visits to Disney theme parks, meeting a celebrity and visiting a family member.