Make-A-Wish and Chamber sponsor fundraiser

Ashley Sodergrin, a Tehachapi resident who in 2022 was named Make-A-Wish Regional Director for Northeastern and Central California, addressed members of the Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce at their March 22 luncheon at Big Papa's, stepping in for Kern County Sheriff Donnie Youngblood who was unable to appear due to weather related problems in the County.

Sodergrin gave a brief history of Make-A-Wish, a nonprofit that began in 1980 when their first wish was granted. The organization grants life-changing wishes for children between the ages of two-and-a-half and 18 years old who have critical illnesses - not necessarily terminal cases. The Central California Region granted their 1,000th wish at the 2022 Tehachapi Apple Festival when 11-year-old Logan became a superhero for a day and saved the City of Tehachapi and Mayor Phil Smith.

There are currently 42 wishes waiting to be granted in the South Valley and three in Tehachapi. Local donations are needed to make the wishes become a reality.

Chamber President Jeanette Pauer and Sodergrin announced the Tehachapi Stars and Stripes Campaign that will begin in June. Make-A-Wish and the Chamber of Commerce will be joined by The Loop newspaper to sponsor this event. Chamber members and other businesses will be selling paper stars to be displayed in their businesses starting in June with the proceeds being donated to Make-A-Wish. The goal is to raise $10,000 to help make local wishes come true. A kick-off celebration will take place in June at Mountain Bowling and P-Dubs Brew Pub in Old Town and prizes will be awarded to the businesses that raise the most money.

Stay tuned for more information on how your business can be part of this campaign.

"Together we can change lives, one wish – or star - at a time," said Sodergrin.