Wish Week at Niwot High School raises funds and awareness for Make-A-Wish Colorado

Charlie is a 14-year-old who absolutely loves basketball, specifically the Lakers and the Warriors, as well as Legos and U.S. History. Charlie also loves to eat macaroni and cheese and Doritos.

In many ways, he is a totally typical teenager, but something that is unique about Charlie is that he has cystic fibrosis. Make-A-Wish Colorado supports kids just like Charlie, granting their one true wish and raising awareness for kids with critical illnesses.

For the past few years, Niwot High School has partnered with Make-A-Wish Colorado to help grant wishes for kids like Charlie. Once again, Niwot High School, led by its Student Council, will be hosting "Wish Week" to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Colorado. This year, the school is asking the larger Niwot community to join the effort to reach this year's fundraising goal of $10,000. Wish Week 2024 is Monday, Jan. 22 through Saturday, Jan. 27.

Planning for this year's Wish Week began in November 2023 with student leaders Lila Repsher, who is also a part of the Make-A-Wish Colorado Youth Leadership Council, and Meleah Perez leading the effort. All Student Council students are working hard to make the week a successful series of events, participating in various committees.

"I like the fact that we are all working toward a greater goal that is part of our community," Perez said. "We really have an impact because we are granting wishes for local kids. We can see the impact of our work."

While the Student Council is leading the charge to make Wish Week a reality, the school is inviting the entire community to join the effort. Community events at Niwot High School open to the public include the boys and girls basketball games on Wednesday, Jan. 24, where basketball fan Charlie will be in attendance at the boys varsity game at 7 p.m., and at the All-Ages Game Night on Friday, Jan. 26 at 4 p.m. where a $5 entrance fee goes directly towards the fundraising goal. Game Night will include bingo, yard games, prizes and more.

In addition to the on-campus events, the public is invited to treat themselves at various local restaurants that will be donating proceeds towards the $10K goal as well. Just mention that you are there to support Niwot High School and Make-A-Wish Colorado at these generous restaurants:

Monday, Jan. 22

Restaurant Night: Blue Agave - Longmont (time TBD)

Tuesday, Jan. 23

Raising Cane's - Longmont 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 24

Kona Ice & Hot Chocolate Truck after school at Niwot High School 3 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 25

Qdoba - Longmont

4 p.m.- 8 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 26

Cold Stone Creamery - Longmont 6 p.m. – Close

Saturday, Jan. 27

Colorado Dutch Bros Give-Back Day ($1 from every drink will be donated by Dutch Bros toward Wish Week at the Longmont location)

Community members and Make-A-Wish Colorado are raising money for kids like Niwot High School's "Wish Kid," Charlie, and their efforts also enables the organization to continue its 40-year legacy of granting special wishes for local kids. "There are kids at [Niwot High School] who have been impacted by Make-A-Wish Colorado," said Repsher. "It's great to be able to highlight the organization, plus it's fun to be able to share my passion for the mission with my fellow students."

Donations can be made here. Or click bit.ly/3O2XxUq

Donation Deadline: January 31, 2024

If you have any questions, please email messinger_leah@svvsd.org.