Wishing Stars, Glory Daze, Harlem Ambassadors

There are numerous poignant stories on the Wishing Star Foundation web site http://www.wishingstar.org/1550.html.

A young man from Quincy, Wash., with leukemia is granted a wish to buy tools----$3,000 worth from his favorite tool outlet. Several children get to visit Disneyland. A young boy who loves the Gonzaga Bulldogs gets to watch his favorite team play powerhouse Duke University at Madison Square Garden.

One young lady in Southern Idaho dies before her wish can be granted. Since she loved watching the sunsets from the Snake River Canyon, a bench and a pathway are completed at a spot where she has dragged friends to watch the sunsets. Now, others can go to that spot and get a little taste of the late afternoon splendor that she loved so much.

Wishing Star Foundation serves areas in Washington and Idaho. We have a Sandpoint Chapter, and Verna Lutes is the "go to" person for our local chapter. You can contact her at : haroldlutes@aol.com.

This weekend, Verna and the gang are putting on a really big show to earn funds for Wishing Star. I know this cuz I do read the paper and hear the news but also because occasionally I run into Lee and Sandi Hoge, who always seem to be involved with activities designed to benefit others.

I saw them at Wal-Mart the other day, and, in our conversation, they were promoting the Wishing Star event this Sunday at Sandpoint High School, starting at 6 p.m.

The Harlem Ambassadors, who've traveled the country to play basketball and help raise money for humanitarian events, will be in Sandpoint to take on a local team who may have a few wishes of their own by the time the final buzzer sounds.

They may be wishing for better basketball skills, or maybe more accurately younger bodies, cuz my prophetic talents tell me they're probably gonna lose. Still, they'll play their hearts out, and, in so doing, they'll create some heart-warming adventures for kids with life threatening illness who have special wishes.

In this case, money raised from the event will go to the local chapter, which is now doing its best to set up a trip for a 7-year-old boy with cancer who'd like to go crabbing off the Oregon Coast.

Team GLORY DAZE has not yet filled its roster, Lee and Sandi tell me, but so far some big names locally and nationwide are gonna give it there all.

The big question for Sunday night will be, "Can Jake "the Snake" Plummer still launch a long, accurate pass now that he's breathing North Idaho air instead of that Mile High Stuff?"

Yup, former Denver Broncos quarterback Jake "The Snake," along with his brother Eric, the Sandpoint Daily Bee sports editor, will suit up for Sunday's game. Add to that Bob Hays, LPOSD superintendent Dick Civitanich, sports announcer Chris Chapburn and Melvin Speelman,Valerie Wakeley and Clint Frank.

Now, I know Bob, Melvin and probably Clint are from Clark Fork, so Wampus Cat power will be in force, and I'm told that Valerie played at Ohio State. LPOSD assistant superintendent Doug Olin, perennial referee, will help keep order. Lee and Sandi said four more players are "in the works."

It will be a fun evening where everyone wins, regardless of the score. Lots of laughs, lots of sore muscles, and hopefully lots of money for Wishing Star.

Here are some details if you want to attend---or if you just want to donate.

Tickets, if sold in advance are seniors 60-plus $5., Adults and children over 4, $7. and under 4 free. At the door they will be $10. for anyone over 4.

Lee and Sandi say, "You can buy advance tickets from Sandpoint Sports in Ponderay and the Daily Bee in Sandpoint or contact any one of our members for tickets."

With all that in mind, I'll make a wish: that oodles of money comes pouring in and that GLORY DAZE will actually pull off a victory over the visitors.

Wonder what the odds are of that coming true.