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When we wish upon a star, we always hope our feelings go far, to find a place in our hearts, where dreams really do come true.

The philosophy of the Make-a-Wish Foundation is simply to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. The goal is to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy.

For almost three decades, the Make-a-Wish Foundation has been dedicated to granting the wishes of children with very special medical needs.

In 1980, Christopher Greicius was 7 years old and was being treated for leukemia. He lived with his mother in Arizona and was befriended by a U.S. customs officer. With every day that Chris became more afflicted, he announced to everyone that more than anything, he wanted to become a police officer.

After the medial treatments seemed never ending, and Chris’ condition was deteriorating, U.S. customs officer Tommy Austin met with officials from the Arizona department of public safety and planed a day that young Christopher would never forget.

During the early morning hours of April 29, 1980, Chris was taken aboard a police helicopter and given a complete aerial tour of his hometown. When the helicopter landed at police headquarters, multiple cruisers and a motorcycle escort were waiting with all lights flashing as the core of the Arizona police team greeted the young guest with official military salutes. Later, Chris was presented in front of the Department of Public Safety command staff and sworn in as the first honorary DPS police officer in Arizona’s history.

On May 1, Chris was presented with a tailor-made police uniform and a motorcycle proficiency test was arranged for his battery powered motorcycle. He passed the test with the highest marks and was presented with a set of wings to pin on his uniform. His smile upon receiving the wings remains legendary. On May 2, Chris was back in the hospital, but asked that his new uniform with his newly earned medal was easy to see.

On May 3, 1980, Chris passed away, but to everyone he touched and to all that made Chris’ wish come true, he remains as the first shining star of the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Thanks to the very first beneficiary of this incredible program, the first wish was granted to a little boy who just wanted to be a police officer.

According to David Williams, president of the Make-a-Wish Foundation, a special wish is granted to a special child every 40 minutes.

Last Sept. 28, Ryan Gibson arrived at the Southwest Florida Regional Airport with his destination as Marco Island. The special wish for Ryan was simple: he wanted to go to a beautiful beach resort where he could be in a warm ocean, see palm trees and the beach, and hopefully see an alligator.

Traveling with his parents Joy and Matt, 8-year-old Ryan arrived at the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort where his name was waiting in lights in the resort lobby and he was given a VIP name tag. Everyone at the Marriott and several local businesses were about to provide the material and substance to make a special star shine and a dream come true.

After Ryan saw his name in lights and received his official VIP status, he and his family were accommodated at one of the most elegant suites available at the resort. For Ryan and his parents, the classic Marco view of palm trees, white beaches, and the warm Gulf of Mexico were waiting for six very special days.

On Ryan’s first day, he and his parents went for a sunset dinner cruise aboard the Marco Princess with Captain Roger Purcell and his outstanding crew. On the top deck of the Princess, Ryan was surprised with a party hosted by the concierge staffers of the Marriott resort.

On the second day, Ryan visited the Conservancy of Southwest Florida for a close up look into the heart of Sub-tropical nature. He was taken on an electric boat ride and was allowed to pet several snakes and alligators. To Ryan, this was the coolest thing ever! Grant Fischer from the Conservancy hosted a private tour that Ryan will never forget.

For his third day in paradise, Ryan did anything he wanted, and took time out to relax and enjoy the scenery, and a wonderful flower arrangement sent by Gene’s Florist.

For his fourth day, Ryan went on the classic Wooten’s Everglades tour, and experienced first hand the thrill of an everglades airboat ride, and of course, more snakes and alligators. “Captain Billy” was Ryan’s host on the Wooten’s tour and will always be another colorful memory for Ryan to cherish.

On the fifth day, Ryan went into the Ten Thousand Islands aboard the powered catamaran Calusa Spirit for Dolphin watching and exploring the neighboring islands. He saw dolphins up close and eagles flying near cape Romano.

On Saturday, Ryan and his family said goodbye to Marco Island and returned to their home in Clackamas, Ore.

With the aid and organizational skills of Marriott Shops Manager Margaret Carr all the Marco and Everglades businesses were approached and donated everything required to make a very special star’s dream come true.

Thanks to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, local Marriott, the Marco Princess, Gene’s Florist, Wooten’s Everglades Tours, Marco Island Jet Ski and Water Sports, Glenda at Wheelchair Getaway Transportation, and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, the special star that is Ryan Gibson really did shine and enjoy a very special dream come true.

During Ryan’s birth, he suffered a lack of oxygen causing severe cerebral palsy. His original diagnosis was death, but after many surgeries, and extensive physical therapy Ryan is a survivor.

“He is in there,” his mother Joy explained. “He knows what’s going on and what he likes and doesn’t like. Water therapy is best for Ryan, but he likes to be outside and the warm water therapy pool back in the hospital in Portland just isn’t the same. Cold water for anyone is uncomfortable, but for sufferers of cerebral palsy, cold water is painful.”

Joy, Matt, and Ryan wish to thank everyone on Marco and the Everglades for providing the best experience ever, and the first vacation since Ryan was born.

The Make-a-Wish Foundation Web site is www.wish.org