Slackwood Students Raise Funds for One Simple Wish

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by One Simple Wish.

Nearly 100 first- through sixth-grade Extended Day Program students at Slackwood Elementary School in Lawrence Township are holding their first “walk a mile in their shoes” event on April 25 at 3:30 p.m. to raise awareness and support for New Jersey’s foster children.

Each child was tasked with raising $5 to sponsor their mile and all proceeds are being donated to One Simple Wish (OSW), the Trenton-based nonprofit that grants simple wishes to children in foster care. 

“This event is a great way to begin a dialogue with our kids about appreciating what you have and the importance of understanding and giving back to others,” teacher Debbie Silver stated. “I’m very proud of our kids and how excited they are to take part in the walk.”

The funds that are raised by the students at Slackwood Elementary will be used to grant wishes at the first and last stops in New Jersey on One Simple Wish’s 4,000 mile journey across the United States this May.

“May is National Foster Care Awareness Month and we’re taking our wish granting program to cities all across the country to shed light on the positive programs supporting youth in foster care in the US,” says Danielle Gletow, One Simple Wish’s Founder and Executive Director.

Gletow, along with her two children and One Simple Wish employees, will hit the road in a 28-foot RV on May 1 to begin logging more than 4,000 miles.

At each stop, the One Simple Wish crew will grant wishes and interview foster care providers, child advocates, and most importantly young adults and children in the foster care system. 

“We’re so grateful to the students and faculty at Slackwood Elementary for helping to bring this issue to light and for supporting our journey.  We’re very excited to participate in the walk!” Gletow says.

To find out more about hosting your own “Walk a Mile in Their Shoes” event, contact Danielle Gletow at danielle@onesimplewish.org. 

For more about 30 Wishes 30 Cities 30 Days visit www.303030.org and www.onesimplewish.org

To sponsor a Slackwood Elementary School student or find out more about attending or participating in the walk, contact Debbie Silver at dasilver71@hotmail.com.

One Simple Wish is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to granting simple wishes to foster children, at-risk youth and impoverished families.  Through our website (www.onesimplewish.org) donors can browse through hundreds of wishes posted on behalf of these individuals and select a specific wish to grant.  Wishes range in value from $5 to $100, making wish granting simple and affordable. 

As of December 2011, One Simple Wish has proudly granted more than 2400 wishes to children and families in need. For more information about One Simple Wish; to grant a wish; to volunteer; or to recommend an organization for possible inclusion in OSW’s Community Partner Network, please visit www.onesimplewish.org or call (609) 883-8484.