Kiara, Age 18

Kiara’s wish was to receive college tuition so she can pursue a nursing degree. She was so excited when we told her that her wish was approved. Little did she know that through partnering with Westfield Mall in West Covina she would be getting much more to help her start her freshman year in college.

Red Robin very generously hosted Kiara’s Wish Presentation. She thought we were meeting for a simple lunch to congratulate her on her wish but when she arrived she was greeted by a group of Westfield Mall’s management team and representatives from Best Buy Mobile, Anchor Blue and G by Guess. We even had a photographer take pictures during the whole presentation.

She didn’t know who all these people were and we wanted to build the suspense so we started off with what she already knew: Kiara was given flowers and an oversized check made out to her college from Make-A-Wish in the amount of her tuition. She then was introduced to each representative who presented her with their own gift to Kiara. Along with her tuition check, G by Guess gave her a big bag of merchandise, Carlton Hair gave her a gift basket of hair products and a certificate for a haircut and style and Red Robin provided great food and service.

Kiara and her family were so overwhelmed with all of the generous gifts. It brought tears to her Mom’s eyes to see Kiara so happy and to see how all these people who didn’t even know her daughter could be so kind. It was a priceless gift to see Kiara’s expression of disbelief and then sheer joy every time she heard what she was being given.

After lunch Kiara and her entourage carrying balloons and gift bags went to the different stores who donated the gifts and took pictures with their employees. When she would stop and get her picture taken people would look to see if she was a celebrity. The attention she was getting throughout the Mall made her feel very special. Kiara was so thankful! She told us she had no idea that all of this was going to happen and that she didn’t have the words to explain how wonderful it all made her feel. Thanks Westfield!

Submitted by Joyce De Leon, Volunteer