The Smarmy Carny

Cold Stone Creamery is giving away free ice cream tonight for their 5th Annual World’s Largest Ice Cream Social, September 28, 2006, from 5pm to 8pm. There are also "family activities" planned for the night.

What's the special event? Cold Stone is selling stars to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. Since you're getting a really good value with this free ice cream, you might as well donate at least that cost to Make-A-Wish®. The free product is a 3 oz. portion of Cole's Creation in a cup. The free creation is the new "Make-A-Wish Creation" inspired by Cole, a 10 year old Wish Child from Colorado. Cole’s Creation combines chocolate ice cream with fluffy yellow cake, chocolate chips and rainbow sprinkles.

I wasn't planning on posting this on such short notice, but this is to benefit Make-A-Wish®. Regular readers will remember that I blogged for Make-A-Wish® during Blogathon 2006.

Not sure where your local Cold Stone Creamery is? Head over to Cold Stone's "Nearest Stone" page to find out where yours is!

Thanks to those who pledged to donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America.

Even if you don't have money, that doesn't mean you can't do anything. Head over to Make-A-Wish®'s volunteering page, type in your 5-digit zip code, and contact your local Make-A-Wish® chapter. Often, our time is more valuable to charities than our money. And if you don't have money, your time may be the only thing you have to donate.

Just because the Blogathon is ending soon, doesn't mean you have to stop giving!

Ryan meets Joe

4-year-old Ryan wished to meet Joe from Blue's Clues and have a Blue's Clues party. Donovan Patton ("Joe") was more than willing to help out the cause.

Ryan and his family got a limo ride to the Hilton Garden Inn, where 79 friends and family were waiting to celebrate Ryan's 5th birthday. During the party, Joe appeared to meet Ryan. They were both wearing identical orange shirts. The two spent some time together and had a great day.

Read more about Ryan's encounter with Joe at Make-A-Wish®'s website, wish.org.

Willie's hammock

10-year-old Willie wished to take a nap on a hammock between two palm trees on the beach in Hawaii.

Willie was flown to Hawaii, where he and his family were met by lei greeters. They spent seven days in Hawaii, enjoying the sights. As part of their activities, they took a snorkeling cruise.

Make-A-Wish® got reservations at the Hyatt Regency in Maui, since they had hammocks readily available. If that weren't enough, the hotel picked the best hammock and designated it "Willie's hammock" for Willie to enjoy whenever he wanted.

When Willie returned home, a local store had donated a hammock for his backyard so that Willie can relax and remember his Hawaii trip whenever he wishes!

Read more about Willie's Hawaii trip at Make-A-Wish®'s website, wish.org.

Cameron leaves the ice

6-year-old Cameron wished to be a player for the Los Angeles Kings.

The L.A. Kings had no problem with helping grant Cameron's wish. Cameron got a limo ride to meet up with Ian Laperriere at the Kings' training center. Cameron put on his full hockey gear, including an official L.A. Kings jersey.

Cameron dished out hip checks, made some passes, and took some slap shots. He weaved his way through the legs of Laperriere and Derek Armstrong to rack up goals on goalie Cristobal Huet.

After the practice, Cameron joined the players in the locker room for some Gatorade. The players also took pictures with Cameron and gave him autographs.

In addition, Laperriere invited Cameron and his family to the L.A. Kings game the following night. Laperriere scored two goals in the game and he saved the first puck just for Cameron! He also gave Cameron the stick he used for that game, which included the autographs of the entire team.

Read more about Cameron's day as an L.A. King at Make-A-Wish®'s website, wish.org.

Moky Varlet

15-year-old Amy wished to be an animated character in a Disney cartoon.

The makers of Dave the Barbarian were glad to help make this wish a reality. Amy sent in a picture of herself, and the animation team got to work.

The day Amy arrived at the Disney studios, she got a full tour. She then got to see sketches of her cartoon self based on her picture.

At that point, Amy was taken to the recording studio in L.A. to do the voice work for her character. She had no problem jumping right into the role and giving a great performance.

She also got to meet another character voice for the show before she received gifts of animation sketches, posters, a personalized nameplate, and other Disney paraphernalia.

Disney is a huge supporter of Make-A-Wish, as many children wish to do to Disneyland, Walt Disney World, or take a Disney cruise.

See a clip of Amy's performance as Moky Varlet at Make-A-Wish®'s website, wish.org.

Stephen works the line

7-year-old Stephen wished to be a worker in a pickle factory. You see, Stephen loves pickles. He could eat more than a jar a day if allowed. He even freezes the juice left in the jar to make "pickle pops!"

B&G Foods Inc. helped grant Stephen's wish. Stephen was flown to Baltimore and received a police escort to the plant. Once he arrived, the town's mayor gave him a key to the city. The factory employees stood outside the factory and greeted him upon his arrival.

Stephen got to see how a pickle was produced. He started at the cucumber farm, driving a cucumber-harvesting tractor. He then rode in a truck that carried the cucumbers to the factory. Stephen and his sister got to stand in the assembly line, and they learned how to do the job. The kids jarred four cases of pickles, which they got to take home. Stephen's jars were stuffed completely full with pickle spears.

After the work day was done, Stephen's family visited the National Aquarium, took a duck tour, and watched a Baltimore Orioles game.

Read more about Stephen's career at Make-A-Wish®'s website, wish.org.