ProStart culinary arts students at the Frisco ISD Career and Technical Education Center hosted "Waffles for Wishes," a fundraiser for Make-a-Wish North Texas on Wednesday, September 25. 

The charity grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

The event raised more than $3,500 to help grant a wish for a Frisco ISD student.  

Students prepared and served made-to-order omelets, fresh waffles and more to guests in attendance. A silent auction featured products and services donated by local businesses.

Three families who have benefited from the Make-a-Wish Foundation also spoke about the impact of the organization on their families.

Austin Rice, a seventh grader at Pioneer Heritage Middle School, had his wish granted in May when he traveled to Alaska with his family.

He and his mother Dawn said it was wonderful to spend quality time together and not worry about Austin’s genetic disorder, which caused an abnormal blood vessel connection to erupt in his brain last year. 

Jeanie Colmenares, mother of one of the culinary arts students, spoke about losing her son Caleb to leukemia. Make-a-Wish granted his wish to meet professional wrestler John Cena in July 2010.

“That was the last birthday that we celebrated with him,” she said. “Now looking back, we have those memories to cherish.”

Rebecca Dixon, sister of CTE secretary Sondra Hall, described her family’s trip to Disney World. Rebecca’s daughter Violet was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 15 months old and has endured daily treatments and numerous hospital visits ever since.

“We worried about not one single thing,” Dixon said. “For seven days, it was not about cystic fibrosis. It was about being together as a family."