The Canyon View Junior High students have again come through for the Spencer’s Wishes foundation. The students raised $809.89 and they donated this money to Santa Claus who promised to present the money to the Spencer’s Wishes in behalf of Canyon View Junior High.
CVJH has been involved in raising money for Spencer’s Wishes for the past several years.
Spencer’s Wishes is involved throughout the year in charitable activities. Each year they host a big party which the Jazz bear attends and does crazy stunts. A baseball camp is held each spring and professional players instruct the local children in becoming better baseball and softball players.
Santa Claus (Phil Roundy) said that Spencer’s Wishes is close to his heart. He said CVJH has been very generous over the years and has adopted Spencer’s Wishes to help each year. Roundy said there are many charities who help needy people for Christmas, the United Way, Angel Tree, the Clampers, the power plants and others. But, Spencer’s Wishes operates with a different criteria and they can help everyone.
The story behind Spencer’s Wishes is the story of 4-year old Spencer Roundy who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He was given a 14 percent chance of survival. The doctors removed the tumor and placed tissue across the opening left by the surgery.
Spencer developed spinal meningitis, because his immune system was gone, but he survived. His pituitary gland was fried by the radiation and Spencer was not growing, his eyesight was also ruined. He didn’t see well and was off balance. Spencer’s hair never grew back.
After Spencer spent six years fighting for his life, he developed another tumor and at the age of 10 he passed away. When the Roundys were cleaning out Spencer’s room after his death they found a note entitled Spencer’s Wishes. He had written down what his wishes were. Spencer wanted a big belly just like Santa. With the medication Spencer was on, he did develop a big belly, like Santa. So this wish came true. His second wish was to help deliver toys to boys and girls. Spencer’s third wish was to help Mrs. Santa to sew clothes for the elves and children everywhere who needed them.
To make Spencer’s second wish come true, Spencer’s Wishes throws a big party where the Jazz Bear hands out gifts. This is a kids only party, because some of the parents might not approve of the Jazz Bear’s tricks. The Jazz Bear is a good friend of Spencer’s Wishes.
Spencer’s Wishes doesn’t look at financial need and they don’t care about mom and dad. They care about children. Children are locked into the life that Mom and Dad provides. “Spencer’s Wishes helps kids have a Merry Christmas,” said Roundy.
Sometimes Spencer’s Wishes honors kids who have done exceptional things like excelled in school or stood up to bullies or sometimes they help sick kids.
Roundy said it’s not the things that happen to us in our lives, but how we react to what life gives us. “Your world is what you make of it,” said Roundy.
Roundy said Santa Claus is hundreds of years old, but he still lives because little children believe in him. Roundy said a teenaged girl told Santa she wanted world peace. But, it’s not something one person can do. “You only have influence in your little corner of the world,” said Roundy.
Roundy told the CVJH students that Spencer’s Wishes couldn’t do the many things it does each year without the generous help of their school.
Roundy thanked the school for their donation and Jessica Guymon presented the check to Roundy.
Canyon View students raise money for Spencer’s wishes to run programs throughout year
"Jessica Guymon presents a check for $809.89 from Canyon View Junior High to Santa representing Spencer's Wishes. Curt Collard, a teacher at Canyon View, supervised the fundraiser."