This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Sometimes, with a little help, even the biggest wishes can come true.
Chugging up the track, the Heber Valley Railroad train greeted an eager crowd of wish children along with their families, wish-granters and volunteers. Bound for their "Vittles and Fiddles" Destination Joy train ride, an annual event, the group was celebrating that Gov. Jon Huntsman had declared June 5 as "Make-A-Wish Day" in honor of the organization's volunteer efforts.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Utah, located at 771 E. Winchester in Murray, celebrated the contributions of all their wish-granters and volunteers with "vittles and fiddles" - a box lunch along with toe-tapping music. Individuals and organizations were encouraged to get on board to volunteer their time, talents and resources to make local children's wishes come true.
"Whether we offer our frequent-flyer miles, or quietly sponsor a wish, or offer the gift of service. . . everyone has the power to make wishes come true," said Christine Sharer, chief executive officer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Utah.
Emily Cragun, 5, of Sandy, had a lot to celebrate. As a 4-year-old, she faced an uncertain future - a diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor. The Cragun family had just returned to Utah from living in Texas when the news was delivered. Then, 14 months of treatment and 48 hospital days later, Emily Cragun is now enjoying the life of a normal 5-year-old. But, during the dark days of uncertainty, Ann Cragun, Emily's mother, reached out to the Make-A-Wish staff in hopes that a wish coming true may bring some needed joy to her little girl's young life.
"I was hooked up with a wish-granter, Lynette Weaver, who came out and visited with Emily," Ann Cragun said. "She just worked with her for a while and tried to get a feel for what she enjoys - princesses and dressing up."
So, the concept of a little girl's dream play house came about since Emily Cragun's first wish - a trip to visit a best friend in Texas - could not be granted for health reasons. But, with the efforts of Emily Cragun's wish granters, Lynnette Weaver and Kris Sarkady, her fairy tale wish started to take shape.
A two-story, carpeted playhouse - complete with a fireplace and front-porch swing - was painted and decorated to the hilt by a singles' group from the Wasatch Second Latter-day Saints Ward. Funds raised by the group's annual charity breakfast sponsored Emily's wish.
With all the work and physical labor involved in the process, Ann Cragun expressed appreciation for the volunteers' efforts.
"[It was an] amazing experience [to] see how happy it made her," she said. "She couldn't play with other kids [because of her health issues], but could go in the backyard and play in her house."
Now, Ann Cragun says, Emily has become quite a little gardener, as she is planting tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe and pumpkins just outside her playhouse front door.
"Now, she does what any other kid does at 5," Ann Cragun said, referring to the results of Emily's successful treatments to battle cancer.
But not all the children aboard the train had successfully made their way through the dark tunnel. Many are faced with terminal illnesses and/or are seriously ill. Isabelle Postma of South Jordan, diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at 11 months old, got her wish of staying with her family in a private beach house on the north shore of Oahu. Listening to the waves and playing in the sand, Postma gained a love for the ocean. Although she was given only six weeks to live after her diagnosis, Postma has defied the odds and is still thriving at 6 years old while living with a terminal condition.
Joy Postma, Isabelle's mother, still relishes in the memories of their family's trip, reflecting on those seven days of living in paradise after returning to the life of doctors, a medication regiment and hospital.
"I think about the trip often - especially when in the midst of the daily routine of caring for a child with special needs," Joy Postma said. "Make-A-Wish gives the wish kids a reason to hope for something beyond being sick. . . getting time out to be a normal kid again."
Joy Postma is now a wish-granter herself, and recently witnessed a child's dream come true - a trip to Australia to be a zookeeper for a day.
The Destination Joy outing allowed the children and their families time to revel in the scenic views from the train as they crossed the farmlands of the Heber Valley, followed the shore of Deer Creek Lake and then descended into a majestic canyon. Making new friends and meeting the Star Wars "cast," including Darth Vader and Princess Leia, put smiles on their faces.
All also joined in to celebrate the dedication of their many volunteers who have labored to bring joy to lives of these local children.
"It's such a joy to grant wishes for these wonderful children - we could not do it without the community steppingĀ in and partnering with us to fulfill the dreams of seriously ill Utah children," added Christine Ellingson, manager of volunteer services.
This event, according to Sharer, celebrates the "joy of a seriously ill child who has been given a chance to laugh and play again."
Get involved
To make a contribution or volunteer, contact the Make-A-Wish Development Office at 801-262-WISH or giving@makeawishutah.org.