Flower Mound resident William Nuzum, otherwise known as Wild Bill, got to see first hand the impact of making a dream come true for a terminally ill child, so he decided to take action to give more kids the experience of a lifetime.
The first annual Wild Bill’s Texas Cup Golf Tournament will be held Friday, October 8, at the Bridlewood Golf Club in Flower Mound benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas (www.northtexas.wish.org).
Founded in 1980, The Make-A-Wish Foundation is known for enriching the lives of terminally ill children through its wish-granting work. The life-changing impact experience the organization has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities is renowned world wide ever since a little boy named Chris Greicius realized his heartfelt wish to become a police officer. Since its humble beginnings, the organization has blossomed into a phenomenon, reaching more than 193,000 children around the world and incorporating 25,000 grassroots volunteers.
“When a child is terminally ill, a life is cut short too soon and you just want to make a difference,” said Nuzum.
“I got involved because a very close family friend of ours was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 1992, with the prognosis being unfavorable for the 5-year-old girl. As you can imagine, it was unbearable to see this beautiful little girl, who was always giggles and games, going through weeks of chemotherapy, and experiencing significant pain.
“One day she asked her mother if she could go to Disney World and see Mickey Mouse before she goes to Heaven. The following summer, North Texas Make-A-Wish Foundation stepped in and made her wish come true by sending Kelly and her mother to Disney World to see Mickey Mouse and the whole gang!
“I had the opportunity to have dinner with Kelly the day after she came home, and I will never forget the smile on that girl’s face as she told all us about her trip to Disney World. Kelly’s experience with the Make-A-Wish Foundation impacted me personally, and I wanted to find a way to grant kids more wishes, so that’s where the idea for Wild Bill’s Texas Cup came in to play.”
The Wild Bill’s Texas Cup Golf Tournament is seeking golfers and sponsorships to make this event memorable and successful, hoping to make it an annual community event. Information regarding corporate sponsorships, donation of items for the silent auction, and volunteering for the tournament can be obtained by either contacting Christie Vellenga (972-352-7419) or visiting www.wildbillstexascup.com.
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