Students 'Make A Wish' come true

CHAPEL HILL (WTVD) -- Business school students in Chapel Hill are defying the downturn in the economy to help the dreams of sick children come true.

It's an unorthodox assignment that's teaching life lessons and changing lives.

"We spent the past 48 hours raising as much money as we could for the Make A Wish Foundation," explained UNC Professor Adam Grant.

It was two full days of round the clock work for sick children who know just how fleeting time can be. The students were broken into three teams and given a goal.

"Raise enough money to grant one wish, to send one child to Disney World, which would cost about 65 hundred dollars," said Grant.

"It was daunting. It was really, really daunting," said MBA student Danielle Brown.

The teams had to get creative, think strategically, maximize use of limited resources and put into practice what they've been learning.

"One of the children's favorite food was Mac and Cheese, so we sold Mac and Cheese to people to make that connection that there's a kid who has a heart condition, who all he wants to do is celebrate his fifth birthday at Disney World," said student Billy Collins.

"Money's something that's tight right now, and so we thought that would engage the student community and so for a dollar you could win a chance for 250 dollars," offered Brown.

They raised money through Facebook and called on family, friends, and businesses contacts. One student even played music for money on a street corner. When they were done, they'd raised $33,500.

"Just an incredibly inspiring and remarkable and very humbling accomplishment to make that money in such a short time for such an important cause. And that is enough money to grant all 6 wishes," said Grant.

For information on how you can give to the Make A Wish Foundation, go to http://www.wish.org/

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