Wish-A-Mile® 300 Pedals for 22nd Year and Grants 250 WishesMore than 800 dedicated cyclists, 100 volunteers, six semi trucks, 5,000 bottles of Vitamin Water, 3 bicycle mechanics, 30 volunteer massage therapists, 15 volunteer medics all made the three-day, 300-mile journey from Traverse City to Chelsea July 24-26. And it was all to grant 250 wishes to deserving Michigan wish kids.
The Wish-A-Mile 300 Bicycle Tour, affectionately known as WAM, pedaled for its 22nd year. It is the largest single Make-A-Wish fundraising event in the United States, garnering $1.52 million this year.
“WAM, and all the dedicated, compassionate riders and volunteers never cease to amaze me,” said Susan Lerch, President & CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan. “Michigan has the worst economy in the nation – we have had for a long time. So the fact that we can all come together every summer and raise this kind of money for wishes is really incredible. We bring joy to the kids, and in doing so, receive joy ourselves.”
Warren Wisner, a cyclist from Chelsea, Mich. was proud to return for his fifth year on the tour. “If I had one thing to say about Make-A-Wish and WAM, I’d say you need to try it if you haven’t. It’s an experience everyone needs to be a part of, whether you ride or volunteer or just donate. Whatever the case may be, it’s a really worthwhile cause for some kids who really need help.”
As always, exhausted riders found the journey more than worth it in the end. Their friends and families greeted them as they crossed the finish line, and their wish heroes – wish kids whom they’d been riding in honor of – proudly placed medals around their necks.
“Thank you for all the time, support and making wishes come true for kids like me,” said wish hero Nella, 10. “If it wasn’t for all the Wish-A-Mile riders, our wishes and dreams would never come true.”
The funds raised through 2009 Wish-A-Mile 300 helped grant the 6,000th wish in the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan’s 25-year history. Three-year-old Amanda, who was diagnosed with metastatic hepatoblastoma, a cancer affecting her liver, wished to meet her favorite character from Sesame Street: Elmo. Click here to read Amanda's Story.
Read daily recaps of the tour and view photos and videos from each day at www.wishmich.org/onthetour.
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2009 WAM Totals
Top Large Teams
Team Alex
$214,874.24
Team Taylor
$146,331.18
WAMmer Jammers
$86,089.37
Dream Team
$68,141.77
Eaton Road Warriors
$63,704.12
Midland Flatlanders
$54,375.78
Top Small Teams
Team Nicholas
$37,078
Participants for Colin D.
$34,912.62
Team MECA
$23,248
Team Header
$22,592.65
David's Heroes
$22,392.62
Carbon and Tux
$18,775
Top Individuals
Beth Brandvain
$60,739.70
Donetta Behen
$22,981.69
Rob Grainger
$16,153.82
Todd Sinclair
$13,000
Harry Miller
$12,975
Mariam Awada
$11,956
View Complete List of Top Fundraisers Here
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