Bowen Family Foundation adopts two Waco ISD schools for its Make A Wish Come True program

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - Waco native and Texas country music star Wade Bowen helped grant Christmas wishes to hundreds of Waco ISD students.

Bowen was on hand at South Waco Elementary Thursday morning to deliver the gifts through the Make A Wish Come True program.

The Bowen Family Foundation got involved a few years ago and this year adopted two entire schools to grant wishes.

“This is amazing, It’s amazing. It’s for the kids. It’s Christmas,” Bowen told KWTX. “This is the best time to do anything like this.”

The Make A Wish Come True was founded 17 years ago by late and beloved University Soccer Coach Mike Chapman.

Mike’s brother, Kyle, and Mike’s nephew, Dylan, have continued the project since Mike’s sudden and unexpected passing in 2020 with the help of the school’s Junior ROTC program.

This first year only a handful of wishes were granted and this year more than 500 kids will walk away with a smile and gifts.

Dylan said without partners like the Bowen Family Foundation it wouldn’t be possible.

“This wouldn’t be possible. I mean it’s amazing everything they do for us every year. I mean I don’t even have words to describe how grateful we are for them being a part every year of Make a Wish,” Dylan said.

The wishes are primarily granted for students at Alta Vista Elementary School, Bell’s Hill Elementary School, South Waco Elementary School and Kendrick Elementary School.

Gift cards are also collected for students at Cesar Chavez Middle School and University High School.

The students write a short essay in response to the question, “What would you do with 100 dollars.”

“Most kid would write you’d think for toys and their Santa wish lists but you’d be surprised how many letters of kids we get asking for blankets, jackets, coats, money so that the heat can be turned back on , things that truly touch your heart,” Dylan said

The first year of the program, only a handful of wishes were granted.

Bowen said getting to play a role in making that happen is an honor.

“This is what Christmas and our foundation is all about,” Bowen said.

Wade played in a Christmas concert at the Waco Hippodrome Wednesday night.

He had a tree set up in the lobby where concert-goers could adopt children for the Make A Wish Come True program or donate money.

The Bowen Family Foundation has doled out more than eight million dollars to deserving charities, mostly within the Central Texas area since it started.

For more information or to help support them you can go to bowenfamilyfoundation.org.

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