Feb. 25, 2011
Norfolk, Va. - The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Virginia, in conjunction with the Old Dominion University Football Team, held a "send-off" celebration on Friday for nine year old Thomas Bannon from Chesapeake, Va.
Thomas has been diagnosed with optic nerve hypoplasia which qualifies him to receive a wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. When he was interviewed and asked about his one favorite wish, he quickly replied "I want to meet Spongebob Squarepants". The organization, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy, set up the trip of a life-time for Thomas and his family. They will be spending a week in Florida at the Nickelodeon Hotel where he will get to meet his favorite character - Spongebob.
On Friday, punter Jonathan Plisco (Newport News, Va.) and defensive lineman Ronnie Cameron (Westbury, N.Y.) helped present Thomas with various mementos of Spongebob as he learned about his trip.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is one of the world's leading children's charities, with 64 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 200,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.va.wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish.