Plymouth native country music singer, Sarah Lenore, to sing at special wish event

November 10, 2004 (Livonia, Mich.) – Sunday, November 14th, 2004 will mark a chapter in little 4-year-old Charlotte’s life that she will never forget. After all, it’s not every day that she’ll get to live her ultimate dream to be a princess for the day and have a Royal Ball thrown in her honor by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan, with 400 of her closest family members and friends – including her health care providers – cheering her on as she dines on her favorite foods and participates in her favorite activities. Not to mention that “Princess Charlotte” will ride into her Ball by horse and carriage, escorted by the Plymouth Township Police, and many other members of her Royal Court, waving to the adoring crowd of hundreds of bystanders waiting to just catch a glimpse of this little princess.

If it sounds like a dream come true, it truly is. But every storybook fantasy has its share of challenges and unfortunate circumstances and Charlotte’s story is no exception.

Charlotte’s Diagnosis

Diagnosed in September of 2004 with Stage IV Hepatoblastoma liver cancer, this vivacious resident of Walled Lake has already experienced a world of treatment and surgeries unbeknownst to many of us. In Charlotte’s case, the cancer had spread to her lungs where five large lesions and several smaller ones had formed. Given her medical prognosis, this tiny little girl would have to express a pillar of strength to get through the treatment protocol: four complete cycles of Chemotherapy necessary to shrink the liver tumor so it could be removed and to kill the lesions in her lungs.  That is just what she did and as of February 2004, Charlotte is in full clinical remission. (Visit her website at www.charlotteanne.net to read more about her story and to see photos of this beautiful little girl.)

Charlotte was referred to the Make-A-Wish Foundation by her social worker at Children’s Hospital. This bright eyed little girl knew exactly what her wish come true would be and without hesitation told volunteers that she wished to be a princess for the day. Her wish is the Foundation’s command.

“Princess Charlotte’s Royal Ball”

To celebrate the success of her treatment, “Princess Charlotte” will enjoy a party like no other she has experienced. She will truly be the Bell of the Ball on Sunday, November 14th at St. John’s Golf and ConferenceCenter – located at 44045 Five Mile Road in Plymouth – for her Royal Ball from 2 to 6 p.m.

“It's so much more than I ever thought it would be,” said her mother, Sevi. Upon her arrival, to St. John’s by way of horse and carriage and police escort, she will be greeted by a crowd of well-wishers including Plymouth Mayor Stella Greene who will present “Princess Charlotte” with a special proclamation. She will also be crowned Princess for the Day and will proceed inside for the private party where guests will dine on all Charlotte’s favorite food and beverages including, but not limited to: chicken fingers, carrot sticks, corn on the cobb, hot dogs and hamburgers, and Faygo Red Pop.

“Princess Charlotte” will be treated to a special ballet performance by the Plymouth Canton Ballet Company, while a DJ will keep her busy dancing to her favorite tunes throughout the day. If the Princess grows tired from all the dancing, she can certainly take a break and engage in a number of activities including the arts and crafts table, watch the magician, have a caricature drawn of herself, or maybe have her face adorned with some artwork by the face painters.

Call for help

Charlotte’s world of make believe would not be coming true without the tremendous and generous support of the Plymouth community including our presenting sponsors, St. John’s Golf and Conference Center and Emerald City Designs. Additional sponsors include: VG’s Grocery Store, Center Stage Productions, Triangle Productions, Bridal Shoes and Veils Unlimited, The Royal Treatment, Awesome Fountains, Viviano Flower Shop, The Knot, The Plymouth Canton Ballet, the students of Our Lady of Good Council and East Middle School, the Plymouth Township and Northville Township Police Departments, the City of Plymouth, and the Plymouth Mayor, Stella Greene, to name a few. But, the Foundation needs hundreds of local residents to come out and help truly make this wish come true.

In order to make Charlotte truly feel like a princess for the day, we are asking members of the Plymouth community to line the St. John’s Golf and Conference Center parking lot and give her a royal welcome.  Those who wish to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime experience will be asked to cheer her on with jubilant shouts, as well as hold some pre-made signs (which will be handed out that day) welcoming her to Plymouth. We are asking volunteers who wish to help greet Princess Charlotte to be to St. John’s no later than 12:15 p.m. so they may prepare for her arrival. While waiting, volunteers will enjoy the sounds of 16-year-old Country Western sensation, Sarah Lenore of Plymouth, as she entertains the crowd with a mini concert. Following her arrival will be a brief ceremony which is slated to conclude at about 2 p.m. and the crowd will be free to go at that time.

Those wishing to make an in-kind or financial contribution to help sponsor Charlotte’s wish or the wish of another child like Charlotte, can contact the Foundation at 888/857-9474.  

Celebrating 20 years of making magic, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan is a chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, the largest wish granting organization in the world. Since its inception in 1984, the Michigan chapter has granted wishes to more than 4,000 children and their families. The Foundation has offices in Lansing, Livonia, and Grand Rapids and more than 80% of its expenditures are directly related to program services. To learn more about the Foundation, call 800-622-WISH or visit the newly redesigned website at www.wishmich.org. 

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