Student-athletes at the University of North Georgia teamed up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to reveal a granted wish to a child with Aicardi Syndrome last week.
Hope Nix, 5, of Dahlonega, was able to join the join the UNG women's basketball starting line up as their "sixth" member at their February 13 game, and signed a one-day contract with the women's team that afternoon. Nix and her family enjoyed court side seats to the game and were joined at half time by three fairy princesses, who revealed she would get to visit Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
The university has raised at least $10,000 a year, every year since 2010-2011 for the nonprofit, allowing them to help grant wishes. They have granted more than 16 wishes and raised more than $164,000 through the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
"Of all of our reveals, we have stayed in touch with all of the families," said Lindsay Reeves, director of athletics. "We tell them that they are a part of Nighthawk Nation forever. It remains true to this day. They will always be family."
Nix's wish is the seventh consecutive wish reveal UNG has hosted. Along with joining the basketball team and the excitement of an upcoming Disney trip, Nix was also assigned her own locker in the women's basketball locker room, was given a ball signed by the team and enjoyed dinner with her family in a room designed for a princess, including a child-sized castle for Nix and her sisters.
"It's been amazing," said Nix's mother, Lenore. "There are not enough thank-you notes in the world to thank everyone for this experience."
Nighthawks will continue raising funds for Make-A-Wish until April through annual events, including the upcoming Nigel's Run with Superheroes on April 15.
Make-A-Wish is a nonprofit organization that "grants wishes" of experiences to children with life-threatening medical conditions.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2019/2/765298/ung-athletes-help-reveal-granted-wish-for-dahlonega-girl