Making A Difference

By Michael Fehlauer

Making a difference for Frank Shankwitz started with meeting a little boy named Chris Greicius. For as long as he could remember, Chris dreamed of someday becoming a police officer. But there was a major obstacle that stood in his way. He had Leukemia and he was not expected to make it to adulthood. When he was seven years old, Chris’ battle with the disease took a turn for the worse. When a family friend who was a U.S. customs officer heard of Chris’ battle, this friend arranged for Chris to come as close as he could to living his dream. A call was made to Officer Ron Cox in Phoenix and arrangements were made for Chris to spend the day with officers from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

When the day arrived, Chris was welcomed by three squad cars and a motorcycle driven by police officer Frank Shankwitz. Chris spent the entire day with Arizona State Troopers concluding with an exhilarating ride in a police helicopter. The exciting day ended with swearing Chris in as the first-and only-honorary state trooper. The next day Officer Cox enlisted the help of the company that manufactured the uniforms for the Arizona Highway Patrol. Within twenty-four hours, Chris was presented with an official patrolman’s uniform. He was ecstatic.

Two days later, Chris died in the hospital, his uniform close by his side. Officer Shankwitz, saddened by Chris’ death, realized that there were many other children like Chris Greicius. Making a difference in the lives of other children like Chris, caused Frank to establish what is known today as the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In the last twenty-eight years, Frank and his organization have impacted the lives of more than eighty thousand children. That is what I call making a difference!

Folks, there is nothing as rewarding – or satisfying – as adding value to the lives of others. How much does it take? Not as much as you might think. Sometimes all it takes is a warm smile, a kind word, a simple act of compassion. Let’s take that step today to touch the lives of those around us.