Chi Omega, Cold Stone Creamery benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation

The organization estimated it raised more than $8,000.

By Travis Cornejo

Published Oct. 6, 2009

Correction appended

Cold Stone Creamery had to deal with long lines Sunday afternoon, thanks in part to Chi Omega's Ice Cream Social, benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

From noon to 6 p.m. Chi Omega members stood at downtown Columbia street corners, asking people to donate $5 in exchange for a free ice cream ticket.

"I think it's great they put a lot of work into this," Make-A-Wish Foundation volunteer Joan Gray said. "It's very successful in raising money."

Cold Stone Creamery General Manager Rachel Smith said they had 633 tickets turned in during the Ice Cream Social.

Chi Omega President Kasey Holdinghausen estimated they raised more than $3,000.

Smith said the donations were split evenly between Cold Stone Creamery and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

"We had to take $2.50 to cover labor and food costs," Smith said.

Holdinghausen said the Make-A-Wish Foundation is Chi Omega's national philanthropy.

"I don't think there is any better organization you can give money back to," Holdinghausen said.

According to the Make-A-Wish Foundation Web site, nearly 25,000 volunteers serve as wish granters, fundraisers and special events assistants.

Gray said other local organizations raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but she could not recall them specifically.

Holdinghausen said Cold Stone Creamery volunteered to take part in the event.

Smith said Chi Omega and Cold Stone Creamery have had a three-year partnership.

"They're really open to giving money back to the Make-A-Wish Foundation," Holdinghausen said.

Smith said the event was pretty successful and it was nice to be able to raise money for a good cause.

"We definitely wouldn't have had that much business," Smith said about Sunday afternoon. "We were pretty busy."

Smith said she's glad the event is successful every year.

Gray said she was impressed with Cold Stone Creamery.

The ice cream store usually has three employees working, but had seven for Sunday afternoon, Smith said.

"The employees just keep smiling even though we're working them to death," Gray said.

According to the Make-A-Wish Foundation Web site, there are four steps to granting wishes. First is the referral by a medical professional, parent or child. The second step is to determine medical eligibility. Third is to discover the child's one true wish. The last step is to create an unforgettable experience.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation has not selected the child whose wish will be granted using Sunday's funds. It will do so next semester, Holdinghausen said.

Last year's social funded the granting of Keshawn and 6-year-old Anne Marie's wishes.

"Her wish was to have a shopping spree," Holdinghausen said.

Holdinghausen said they took her to Toys R Us and filled up a cart with all the toys she wanted.