'Christianpalooza' Raises $11,746 for Make-A-Wish
An event held each year in memory of a local boy will fund three Make-A-Wish trips.
Photos
Maria Vondas and her family have a goal each year they hold Christianpalooza in Brookline: raise enough money to fund Make-A-Wish Foundation dreams for two children.
This year, they raised $11,746—almost $4,000 more than the goal they set for this year, and enough to fund Make-A-Wish dreams for three children.
Christianpalooza started as a way for the Brookline family to celebrate and honor their oldest son, Christian Connelly, who died in 2011 at age 9.
The third annual event was held at Resurrection Church in Brookline in November, and the family presented the funds to the Make-A-Wish Foundation just before Christmas.
Each Make-A-Wish dream, on average, costs $3,900.
To read more about Christianpalooza and the family's work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, click here.
Follow Dormont-Brookline Patch on Facebook and Twitter. For more news, sign up for our email Newsletter.
Denise Bar-Aharon
12:40 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
That is beautiful! I just read this and it touched my heart. I am the CEO and Founder of Make-A-Wish Israel and started the foundation 17 years ago in my beautiful brothers David's name and to date 1800 wishes hv been granted in Israel. Much love to you and the memory of Christian also shine through the children you are helping.
Maria Vondas Connelly
11:45 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Denise,
Thank you so much for your kind words! Congratulations on all of your amazing success - 1800 wishes, wow! May David's memory be eternal through all of your incredible work also. How did you find this story? I am honored that you took the time to read it and comment on it. Knowing that I have international support means so much to me. Thank you for everything, especially for helping children like Christian and David.
Denise Bar-Aharon
12:43 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
That is beautiful! I just read this and it touched my heart. I am the CEO and Founder of Make-A-Wish Israel and started the foundation 17 years ago in my beautiful brothers David's name and to date 1800 wishes hv been granted in Israel. Much love to you and the memory of Christian also shine through the children you are helping