By Leigh Ann Rutledge
FPS Accent Editor
June 5, 2008

Morgan Edmonds stands beside the limo that took her on the shopping spree of a lifetime.

An incredibly brave little girl from Mechanicstown recently enjoyed a special day shopping and was pampered like a true celebrity.  Ten year-old Morgan Edmonds, who has heart disease, couldn't believe it when her wish for her very own personal shopping spree came true.  Morgan's wish came courtesy of Kids Wish Network and some extraordinary "guardian angels” at Southern Park Mall.

In March of 2004, Morgan was diagnosed with recurrent pericardial effusions.  This condition causes fluid to build up around the heart.  Morgan has had five strokes and four surgeries in her young life.  She must be monitored extremely carefully by her doctors and take daily medications

When Morgan's grandmother received a phone call from one of Kids Wish Network's professional fundraisers, she immediately referred Morgan to the charity for a possible wish.  Soon Kids Wish Network wish coordinator, Jill Atchison, called Morgan's mother, Marla, and gave her the good news:  Morgan had been approved.

Morgan was faced with a big decision.  What did she want for her wish?  It didn't take long for this special girl to make up her mind; Morgan wanted to go on a shopping spree because she said, "She likes to shop.”
Jill quickly got to work.  She contacted various stores at Southern Park Mall in Youngstown and was thrilled to learn how many wanted to help.  It was going to be a wonderful day full of pampering and shopping and one Morgan will never forget.

Atchison arranged for Morgan to arrive in style on the day of her spree by booking a limousine to pick up her and her mother and ferry them to the mall.

Marla said, "It was so much fun.  I had never been in a limo before.”   Morgan agreed adding, "It had lots of room and a TV!” Soon after arriving, Morgan was met by the mall director and presented with a stack of gift certificates and other goodies.  Then she hit the shops.
One of Morgan's first stops was Build-A-Bear where she picked out a bunny and got busy accessorizing her new pal.  She dressed her bunny in a pink dress and pink slippers.

She also stopped by Kay Jewelers where she picked out some jewelry and visited several other stores.  Her favorite items?  "The jewelry store.  I picked out a heart necklace, a ring and a bracelet.”   Later, Morgan enjoyed a lunch of fish n' chips at Jillian's with her parents.
She returned home with her whirlwind spree with boxes and bags filled with brand new things and with even more amazing memories.  It was a day she will treasure!

Over the summer Morgan plans to return to the mall to finish up her shopping spree.  (Due to time constraints, they were unable to visit every store on her big day.)  She also plans to visit her grandmother.
Morgan resides on Ripple Rd. with her parents, Donald and Marla, and her four-year old sister, Courtney.  She will be in the fourth grade at Augusta Elementary.

Atchison said, "Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping make Morgan's wish extra special: American Limo, Bath & Body Works, Build-A-Bear, Champ Sports, Chick-Fil-A, Dillard's, Gap, Graffiti, JC Penney, Journey's Kay Jewelers, Jillian's, MasterCuts, Payless Shoes, Puzzlemania, Rue 21, Shail Jewelers, Tinseltown and Southern Park Mall.”
Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories and improving the quality of life for children. 

Anyone who knows of a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of its wish granting services, should call 727-937-3600 or toll-free at 888-918-9004.  For more information, visit www.kidsnetwork.org.