Alexander Shun

Web Editor Associate | @alexpshun 

On Wednesday night, the Minnesota Lynx were taking care of business on the court, beating the Los Angeles Sparks 82-76. However, for a moment in the second quarter, the thousands of fans that packed into Target Center to see a Lynx victory, saw something a lot bigger than basketball.

Wishes & More is a Minnesota-based charity that enhances the life of children fighting terminal or life-threatening conditions by providing extraordinary experiences including wishes, scholarships, memorials and more.

Started in 2005, Wishes & More aimed to do more than what other wish-granting organizations could do; they have accomplished that thus far.

“We’re able to [grant wishes to] younger ages, a little bit older ages, some wishes that couldn’t  have been done before, some wishes that are unique to Minnesota, memorials, Scholarships of Hope and just of the extra things that we’re able to do with our local community ties and, of course, our relationship with sporting teams like the Lynx enables us to do extra things and [fulfill] the more part,” said Wishes & More Board Vice-President Jim Roehl.

With such an incredible and strong partnership, the Lynx are able to go above and beyond basketball, something that Roehl recognizes and appreciates.

“It has been a fantastic partnership with the Lynx the whole time,” said Roehl. “They’re very supportive, [Lynx] Coach Cheryl [Reeve] has shown up at some of our events in the offseason, and whenever we ask of anything they’re always there for us and it’s just a fantastic relationship. I’m beyond pleased.”

Wishes & More has been granting wishes in Minnesota for 10 years now, and extends to those making wishes in the five-state area of the Midwest. However, as was previously noted, the organization does far more than grant wishes and Roehl is extremely proud of the Scholarships of Hope program that Wishes & More provides.

The Scholarships of Hope program is an opportunity for those that have had their wish granted and wish to pursue any form of post-high-school education. Wishes & More provides such individuals with scholarships to not only help pay for an education, but to show the organization’s continued support of their members.

“It’s truly a great thing. It’s available to anyone who goes to school and anyone who is eligible and applies it. Thanks to our great partners, thanks to the Lynx, we’re able to do things like that, and it means a lot.”

The Wishes & More organization spends countless hours supporting others and helping those that are going through some of the toughest times of their lives; such incredible generosity deserves recognition and support of its own.

Wednesday night during Minnesota’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks, Lynx Director of Business Operations Carley Knox presented Roehl and wish-recipient Elijah, with a $2,000 grant to Wishes & More on behalf of the Minnesota Lynx Fastbreak Foundation.

“It’s truly an honor,” said Roehl, speaking about what such a grant means to the organization. “The Lynx have been tremendous partners since the beginning, they just provide help and support in so many ways and it’s just great to receive something like this.”

For the Lynx, they will do their best to keep winning basketball games on the court, and off the court, partnered with Wishes & More, they will continue to make people’s wishes come true.

For more information about the Wishes & More organization, you can visit their website here