BUILDING HOMES AND BUILDING HOPE
If it were not for hope, the heart would break. --John Ray (1628-1705)

It all started with a little girl and an invitation. These two things led Jocelyn Dienst to resolve not only to build homes, but to build hope as well. The little girl was Hope Stout, a remarkable child whose last wish was to see that the other 155 children on the Make-A-Wish waiting list had their wishes granted. The invitation came from Jocelyn's friend to attend the Celebration of Hope gala fundraiser to ensure that this request would become reality. Jocelyn was so touched by Hope's selfless wish that she has become dedicated to helping the Make-A-Wish cause. So far, Dienst Custom Homes has held 3 gala events to raise money for Make-A-Wish, and the fourth annual event is scheduled for the fall of 2008.

The wishes usually fall into one of four categories; "I wish to go.to have.to meet..to be." Hope's selfless request created a new category; "I wish to give." Dienst Custom Homes has taken this to heart by sponsoring an annual Wish House Gala to benefit local children with life-threatening medical conditions.

The local chapter of Central and Western North Carolina is entirely responsible for raising funds for every wish in their territory, including fund raising and administrative costs. Eighty percent of all donations raised goes towards wish granting activities.

For more information, visit the website of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Western North Carolina at www.ncwish.org.