By Celine Hoang, Social Media Manager and Laura Le, Staff Writer
Make-A-Wish (MAW) is one of the few clubs on campus that has a fundraiser during the holidays. The club has an annual event known as the “Hot Chocolate Fundraiser” in order to grant wishes to children.
The event takes place on Shadbush Street in a local Fountain Valley neighborhood across Mile Square Park, known for its beautifully decorated Christmas lights. This year on the nights of Dec. 9-23, Make-a-Wish will set up a canopy strung with decorative lights in front of one of the homes in the neighborhood to offer fresh batches of hot chocolate and baked goods for Christmas lights viewers to enjoy. The fundraiser is built entirely upon donations.
Hot chocolate and baked goods are based on donations given either by local bakeries or stores. Hot chocolate is made fresh at the event by club members. The fundraiser is a major way to bond with others through enjoying the lights, making hot chocolate, advertising or preparing cups. The event is a highlight for members to give back to the community and enjoy the holiday season.
“The event itself is very well-rounded; we have members working hard every night to keep the holiday and MAW spirit up while engaging with the community to spread awareness of what MAW is all about,” said Ashton Diep (‘17), Co-President of MAW.
MAW grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich to human experience with hope, strength and joy. All the donations received from the fundraiser are put towards a wish for a local child with a life-threatening medical condition (OC & the Inland Empire) to give them and their family a wonderful and unforgettable experience.
The annual Hot Chocolate Fundraiser essentially began to raise the $5,000 needed in order to grant a child’s wish. When the Hot Chocolate Fundraiser first began 11 years ago, MAW was still a small club mostly made up of their board and a handful of members. Using one of the board member’s house in the neighborhood to sell hot chocolate, the event quickly became a success and the club continued with the fundraiser in the coming years ahead.
“I think on the face value of it, this fundraiser is the biggest in comparison to any other club. But personally for me, it is a rewarding experience to just give to the community and enjoy the holiday season while also looking to our final goal of granting a wish to a child,” said Co-President of MAW, Vincent Nguyen (‘17).
MAW’s Hot Chocolate Fundraiser is a great way to bond with friends while enjoying a fundraiser that will enrich a child’s life.
