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September 26, 2013 is a day Jovelyn Christensen will never forget. It is the day her then 11-year-old daughter, Allison, received her new heart.

heritage bankThe Shelton native had been a healthy and active girl all her life. But in the summer of 2013, she got sick and didn’t get better. The “mom radar” went off for Jovelyn, telling her something was seriously wrong, and doctors confirmed it. Allison needed a new heart.

The transplant was completed at Seattle Children’s Hospital where Allison caught the attention of a frequent visitor – Seattle Seahawk’s quarterback, Russell Wilson. Her creative gift to him, a duct tape wallet, capture his heart and the media’s attention. (Read the full story of Allison’s gift here.)

Allison, seen here with TOMS CEO Jim Alling, received a heart transplant at Seattle Children's Hospital in 2013 and this February, received the 6000th wish from Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington.
Allison, seen here with TOMS CEO Jim Alling, received a heart transplant at Seattle Children’s Hospital in 2013 and this February, received the 6000th wish from Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington.

Fast forward to today and Allison is a healthy, happy 14-year-old eighth grader at Oakland Bay Junior High in Shelton. While she still experiences some shortness of breath and continues several medications to support her new heart, Allison lives a fairly normal life complete with competing on her school wresting team and playing her favorite sport, fastpitch softball.

As a child facing a serious illness, Allison was granted a “wish” from Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington. While her surgery was nearly two-and-a-half years ago, Allison just redeemed her wish this February. “When I was still in the hospital after my transplant I first learned that I was getting a wish,” she shares. “I didn’t really think I deserved one because there were a lot of kids a lot sicker than I was there.” Her mom, Jovelyn, shares that this is very characteristic of her youngest daughter, to choose others over herself.

TOMS hosted Allison and her family at their Los Angeles headquarters on February 18, 2016. Photo courtesy: Make-A-Wish
TOMS hosted Allison and her family at their Los Angeles headquarters on February 18, 2016. Photo courtesy: Make-A-Wish

This generosity of spirit is reflected in Allison’s wish selection. “My dad, sister and brother all had ideas, but I just didn’t want to pick someone else’s idea,” she says. Ultimately, Allison wanted her wish to give back and help other kids in need, specifically in Haiti, an area she had learned about and knew had extensive needs. That’s when she thought of Los Angeles based company TOMS.

“I really love shoes,” she says with a smile. “I have a lot of shoes, but not a lot of people in the world do.” She knew of the TOMS “One for One” pledge where for every pair of TOMS shoes purchased, the company will give one pair to a child in need. Allison wanted to be a part of this giving and began to learn more about the company.

The Christensen family enjoyed a day together at Universal Studios Hollywood as part of Allison's Make-A-Wish trip.
The Christensen family enjoyed a day together at Universal Studios Hollywood as part of Allison’s Make-A-Wish trip.

During her research, Allison learned that TOMS not only gives shoes, but provides eye care and eyeglasses to children in need when someone purchases TOMS sunglasses. They provide clean drinking water each time someone purchases TOMS Roasting Co. coffee. For every TOMS bag sold, a birth kit is provided to help provide a safe birth for a mother and baby in need.

Allison had her wish. She wanted to be a part of what TOMS was doing, to use her wish to spread good in the world.

Make-A-Wish representatives started the process to make Allison’s wish a reality and executives at TOMS were thrilled. Through their conversation, TOMS shared that while new shoes would be appreciated in Haiti, their most pressing need was clean water.

Allison's wish was to give to other, but TOMS and Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington made sure the generous 14-year-old had experienced the trip of a lifetime.
Allison’s wish was to give to other, but TOMS and Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington made sure the generous 14-year-old had experienced the trip of a lifetime.

“Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington gave $2,000 to IMA World Health (TOMS’ giving partner in Haiti),” shares Jessica Mathews, Communications Manager at Make-A-Wish.  “They are using those funds to provide clean water for a day in a Haitian Village.  They deemed it Allison’s ‘Wash’ Day.”

Allison’s wish weekend started on February 16 when she flew to LA with her mom, sister and brother. They were whisked to their hotel via limousine where, after a good night’s sleep, they spent a full day of fun at Universal Studios, including an exclusive sneak-peek at the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter ride, set to open April 7.

As part of her wish, IMA World Health and TOMS put together an album sharing the impact of Allison's generous choice in Haiti.
As part of her wish, IMA World Health and TOMS put together an album sharing the impact of Allison’s generous choice in Haiti.

Their next day was spent at the Venice Beach headquarters of TOMS, which Allison describes as “having a cool California vibe!” The group was treated to a full tour of the facility including a behind the scenes look at not-yet-released products. “They wouldn’t even let us take pictures in that area. It was really cool,” Allison says. Their visit even included a “shopping spree” where Allison and her family were allowed to select TOMS shoes to take home as part of her wish.

Despite her love of shoes, her favorite part of the day was a video presentation IMA World Health had prepared for her. It featured children in Haiti saying, “Thank you, Allison” for her gift of clean water. “It was so amazing to see these kids I’d never met saying my name and thanking me for giving them something we just get out of our sinks. It was really special.”

Allison spent time in TOMS creative space, designing her own pair of custom shoes reflecting her love of playing in the band.
Allison spent time in TOMS creative space, designing her own pair of custom shoes reflecting her love of playing in the band.

What else was special about Allison’s wish? It was Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington’s 6000th wish. “When our local Make-A-Wish chapter was founded 30 years ago, we granted 6 wishes in our first year. With the incredible support of our community, we have grown from 6 to 6,000 wishes in 30 years,” explains Mathews. “Each wish is significant and important, and seeing wishes like Allison’s inspires us every day.”

“We are very proud of Allison,” says Jovelyn. “After all we went through, and how well she is doing, we have just learned to go day by day. You just never know what the future holds so we remember to always enjoy today.”

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