Chris Greicius statue returns 15 months after it was stolen
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Make-A-Wish Arizona is thrilled to announce the return of the beloved Chris Greicius statue to its new home at the Parsons Wish House in Scottsdale.
Linda Pauling, Chris Greicius’ mother, and Make-A-Wish co-founder, was on hand April 30 to welcome the statue back to its rightful place. The original sculptor, Tom White, created the replacement statue for the organization, ensuring his memory lives on.
In January 2023, the statue honoring Chris Greicius, the 7-year-old boy whose battle with leukemia inspired the establishment of Make-A-Wish Arizona, was stolen from outside the Make-A-Wish America headquarters.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chris home to Make-A-Wish. The statue’s return restores a piece of our history and serves as a powerful reminder of our mission,” said Fran Mallace, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Arizona. “This celebration is not just about the statue’s return but also the lasting impact Chris’ legacy has had on wish children and their families over that last 44 years.”
The statue’s return will coincide with another significant milestone for Make-A-Wish Arizona: the 8000th wish granted since its founding in 1980. The wish was granted to 5-year-old Mila, who has a rare disease causing non-cancerous tumors to grow in her body. Mila wished for a custom backyard playhouse with a slide where she could safely play and paint in a space all her own.
These celebrations mark the culmination of World Wish Month, a month-long tribute inspired by World Wish Day on April 29, which holds special meaning for Make-A-Wish, as it marks the day Chris Greicius had his wish granted to become a DPS officer for a day.
