Ron Cox and I went to the academy together, so we were friends.

That must be hard. OK, you don’t have the money to give back, but give back your time.”. All Rights Reserved. He loved it. I’d never met Chris. My speaking then led to a publishing company contacting me saying we need to write a book about my life.

There are many wish kids I’ve stayed in contact with. He got to slide down the fire pole. Every little bit matters in the life of a Wish Kid… Please donate to our Make-A-Wish fundraiser. Frank Shankwitz: I wrote this down: Be kind.

When I said we’d like to get some free tickets it was click … click … I finally went to Frank and said, “I don’t know what else to say or do, they won’t talk to me.”, Frank Shankwitz: I said give me the numbers and I’ll call. Every morning we were usually the first ones on the set, me and the crew. The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan ahead for the following overnight ramp and lane closures this week on State Route 387 and I-10: First President and Co-founder of Make-A-Wish Foundation. We’re the third day into set. A couple hours later, Chris passed away.

You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. By the seventh grade, my mother told me she could no longer afford me, and she was moving to another town, and she said you’re on your own….

She threw everything we had in the back of a … I need to talk to you.” I walked in, saw a receptionist. Never had any reason to care for anyone else. Chris hears it and comes out, just as big smile. You’re going to have to use vacation time. Much of his childhood was spent on the move until he ended up in Seligman. Through his guidance and leadership, last year I was named one of the Forbes Top Ten Speakers in the United States. Oops, we were unable to send the email.

I’m real lucky because being a police officer and being so involved in the Foundation are both things I love and that create value for others. Shankwitz was the first person to head it, collecting its first $15 donation from a grocery-store manager who helped him set up a checking account for the organization. I called and spoke to the secretary for the Director of Public Relations and said, “This is Officer Frank Shankwitz, Arizona Highway Patrol, and I have a warrant for one of your people.”, Thankfully, he listened and now, almost 40 years later, Disney is one of the biggest sponsors of Make-A-Wish foundation. My mission is “Everybody can be a hero. You’re gonna give me eight hours work. You don’t have to have money to help. [10], In 2010, Shankwitz was featured in Brad Meltzer's book, "Heroes For My Son", identified as one of the 52 people who have made a difference in the world.[11]. Please enter location or other information that may help the volunteer in fulfilling this request.

I was born in Chicago and unfortunately my mother divorced my father when I was two years old. Shankwitz and his wife Kitty reside in Prescott, Arizona. In preparing for this interview I read Wishman, the life story of the man who created the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In fact, David, Tanya and I have started a speaking tour to discuss the issue of dealing with depression caused by medication. My Philosophy on Significance and Leaving Your Mark. Then, when Chris’ mother returned, I approached her. These are wish kids waiting on me. It’s my wish that you’ll give what you can, when you can, to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. You’re gonna have to use your own money. Frank Shankwitz Frank Shankwitz Frank Shankwitz Frank Shankwitz. I called and spoke to the secretary for the Director of Public Relations and said, “This is Officer Frank Shankwitz, Arizona Highway Patrol, and I have a warrant for one of your people.” (laughing), The minute I got the gentleman on the phone, I said, “I just lied to you. I’m working closest with the script supervisor every day, going over the screenplay for the day — the script, the sets, making sure everything fits — lots of questions.

Everyone can find some way to give back. Kitty and I live on retirements, but we are able to give a lot of our time to help people out. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. You do not need a Facebook profile to participate. See this ADOT alert for details.

I said I don’t usually talk about it but … and that’s what ended up in the movie. Shankwitz was one of the primary officers from the Arizona Highway Patrol who was responsible for granting the "wish" of a 7-year-old boy with leukemia who wanted to be a Highway Patrol Motorcycle Officer like his heroes, Ponch and Jon from the television show, CHiPs.