It IS the little things that matter most. And we here at Prowler Magazine and Southern Sports Journalwere reminded of that in an upstart and surprisingly BIG effort that began with a wish, and a chance introduction.Let’s start with The Wish. The word and concept it conveys seems a little whimsical for the 20-50+ age sports,entertainment and nightlife content-focused staff of our magazines. It wasn’t our idea at all. But it was an idea thatwe could immediately get behind. It became our proudest moment in recent memory. Please read along and seewhy we were so inspired, and if we tell the story well enough, maybe you’ll accept our invitation to join us as weembark on something that is destined to be enduring and worthwhile—something truly special—the creation ofCelebrity Charity Wishes. Your life will be enriched as you do the same for those that matter most...the little ones.

THE WISH Celebrity Charity WishesThe wish was one made by an exceptionally

good-willed teen girl who battled Osteosarcoma,a bone cancer at Levine Children’s Hospital inCharlotte, NC. She smiled brightly at timeswith the fight of her life on her hands. With hermother by her side, her spirit and fight inspiredwhat now appears to be something of a gift thatwill give exponentially to other children foryears to come.

She didn’t ask for hope. She instilled it. Shedidn’t ask for gifts. She gave the most preciousone of all. A beautiful, unreserved smile whichshe asked to share with her idols and childhoodicons. Her name was Brianna Watts, and sheand her mother made the first Celebrity Charitywish. Actors, sports stars, and entertainers gath-ered around her to fulfill this wish, and thus,Brianna left her spark on this world. She was 15years old when she succumbed to the fightagainst cancer on February 11th, 2010 andeveryone who was there was forever changed.

Nearly two years later, the charity founded inher honor, Celebrity Charity Wishes, has suc-cessfully reached out to hundreds of childrenwith the simple gift of a smile—and a momentof hope for all involved. For the first effort, itcame in the form of a bear, hand-delivered tothose most in-need, struggling with potentially-terminal illnesses. Over 300 bears made theirway to open arms. Each bear, started the journeyas it was thoughtfully placed in a CCW Bearsfor Buddies collection box by a sponsor employ-

ee, friend or the corporation—a simple act ofkindness that would ultimately raise the spirit ofa child.

THE PEOPLE All Committed, AmazingIn the year and a half since they befriended

Brianna Watts, nothing had motivated the threeprofessional women who participated in this sin-gular, selfless effort more than the experiencethat floated in their minds—one that was inspi-rational, yet weighed heavy with a calling.

And as the Holiday Season of 2011approached, Lenora Bobo, Tammie Tolbert andToni Brown decided it was time to act onceagain. Each a successful business person in theirown right, they consulted family, friends and—asfate would have it—a like-minded group of busi-ness associates. And Celebrity Charity Wisheswas born.

In the early moments of this process, manyfriends rallied around them, and we at Prowlerwere asked to be a part of this new effort by alongtime friends at So Exclusive, Inc. Howcould we resist? The cause, one dear to us allwith families battles tugging at our heart strings,we jumped in with both feet. And all heart.

THE EFFORT Too Good To FailWe first met as a group in early-September,

and in a whirlwind of compassionate activity bythe CCW staff, all who were called upon to par-ticipate were compelled to do contribute. It wassimply evident in the good nature of the gather-ing of folks involved that something wonderful

was at hand. While we at Prowler Magazine doour share of reaching out, we could not help butbe blown away by the effort made to contact anyand every business and individual who mightfurther this cause.

And in our typical anecdotal fashion, sinceProwler Magazine is designed to deliver only thesoundest of sound bites and move on, we leaveyou for now with these two gems:

As we spoke in the lobby of one of the world’soldest banking institutions with not one, or two,but three of the bank’s busiest department mem-bers—no less than Wells Fargo community rela-tions staff the very same week the changeover inCharlotte was occurring—Lenora Bobo and Iheld their audience and they graciously acceptedour Bears for Buddies Collection boxes to beplaced in key areas of the Uptown Wells FargoCorporate Center. I asked her as we left “Doyou have no fear?” She started at the top. Andthat, is part of this story. Thank You, WellsFargo. And all.

The other part is something that was memo-rably stated apropos by a CCW Board Member,Poet Carde as each supporter was called upon toconvey the message that warmly blanketed us allat the end of this incredible day. “We are all, sobusy. That will never change. Next week, nextmonth, when a friend, or someone calls on youto do something good, to help out, just go. Justgo help. It will be rewarding for all.”

Building O N H O P E | C E L E B R I T Y C H A R I T Y W I S H E S A N D A L L A R E P L A N N I N G O N A G R E AT 2 0 1 3

TWO EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY FACILITIES | DOZENS OF NFL PLAYERS | MORE THAN FIFTY CORPORATIONS

1 DAY IN CHARLOTTE THAT INSP I RED A FOUNDAT ION FOR GOOD

Do you remember what you thoughtof the power of giants when you

were 3? 4? 5? What would it mean toyou as a child to be a star for a day,meet stars and choose your favoritetoy as a surprise from big bountiful

boxes? It’s something to remember...

THANK YOU TO AN I NCR ED I B L E GROU P O F I N D I V I DUALS AND COR PORAT IONS

TAKE A MOMENT TO JOIN US at www.Celebr i tyChar i tyWishes .orgPlease For

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GET I NVOLVED WITH OU R N EXT CAM PAIGN

2012 Pictorial

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