The 76ers wish with Sarah and family on Friday went really well.  Alex the limo driver is such a nice guy, he picked up the family & we met in front of the executive offices at the Wells Fargo Center.  It was a beautiful day and we all arrived plenty early and sat outside for a bit while we wait for some other family members to join us.  Sarah is a beautiful little girl with a huge personality. She was so excited for the wish.  Sarah, Mom (Patricia), Dad (Bill), and the many siblings (Kelly, Jen, Melissa & Brian) are just a wonderful family. Everyone is so nice and welcoming.

When we went inside, Mike Goings came up and greeted us and took us on a little tour while we we made our way down to the court.  We saw a section of the original 76ers court, the room where postgame press conferences are held, a glimpse of the weight room and the offices where Mike, Amber and the rest of the 76ers staff works.  Then the real fun began, we entered the court from the same spot the players enter. We were then lead over to the 76ers bench where Sarah & Melissa sat to watch some of the players warm up. Here is where we also met up with Amber Stewart who had a big hand in making this all happen. The first person she met was Michael Smerconish (local radio/tv personality).  He say with Sarah and talked to her quite a bit. She had lots of questions for him and he was happy to answer them all. He even gave her his email address so she can contact him anytime with questions. He left with some words of wisdom for her, saying that when she grows up  choose a job she loves because that really matters. Then the flight squad came over to greet her and they had a 76ers backpack stuffed with goodies including a basketball and personalized jersey!  They showed her their talents (flips, break dancing, and cheering).  They were a lot of fun.  As warm-ups continued several players came over to introduce themselves and sign her autograph book, jersey and/or ball including Evan Turner, Thaddeus Young & Elton Brand. The team photographer also came by to take some professional photos of Sarah & Melissa out on the court and meeting a player, which they said they will get to the family.

Her ultimate wish was to meet Coach Collins.  This is a tricky task to pull off on game day but in the end Sarah, Melissa, Dad & I were whisked off and got to spend about 5-10mins with the coach back by the locker rooms before the game.  Asst Coach Aaron McKie even popped his head in briefly and shook hands with everyone.  Sarah and Dad had LOTS of questions for Coach Collins. She asked him how much longer he plans on coaching, they spoke about his 400th win, and they even spoke about his family (which Sarah knew the names of his wife, children and even his grandchildren!).  We had a bite to eat and enjoyed the game at in a club box even though they did not pull out a win that night.  The family picked up lots of clothing at the gift shop as well thanks to the generosity of Make-A-Wish. After the game we were brought downstairs to watch the postgame interview with Coach Collins.  Before ending the interview, he announced he had a special guest and invited Sarah up to the podium and told everyone who she was and that it was her wish to meet him but really it was his to meet her. After that he brought her over to meet his daughter and grandkids and few others. He gave Sarah his email and told her if she’s ever at a game to let him know and he’ll bring her down to the postgame interview again.  The family goes to many games so I’m sure she’ll be touch!

Mike Goings and Amber Stewart were two of the sweetest people. They really made this a truly special wish for Sarah (and that was no easy task!).

Pictured in the photo: Chudney (Dad), Kennedi and Alger Valdez, General Manager of Maggiano’s in Philadelphia.

World Wish Day commemorates the anniversary of the wish that inspired the creation of what is now one of the world’s leading children’s charities. Seven-year-old Chris Greicius’ wish to be a police officer was granted in Phoenix, Arizona by volunteers on April 29, 1980. For more information about World Wish Day, visit Make-A-Wish. The World Wish Day dinner at Maggiano’s will also mark the start of the brand’s ninth annual Eat-A-Dish for Make-A-Wish campaign, in which restaurants nationwide give guests several delicious ways to support Make-A-Wish through June 27, 2012. For more information about Eat-A-Dish for Make-A-Wish, visit Maggiano’s.