Nick's Picks Newsletter #5

Nick's Picks VIP for January

(Very Important Patient)

Name: Trent Boaz

Age: 4

Location: San Diego, California

Trent's Story:

Trent was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia at 2 months old after his doctor noticed that his spleen was enlarged at a check-up. Trent immediately underwent the Kasai surgery at Kaiser-Zion in Mission Valley. He's been doing great ever since. He's a healthy, active, fun 4-year-old boy.

Trent's Relationship with Nick:

Nick has been a big buddy to Trent since Trent was 6 months old. Nick has been super supportive, his whole family has been. A local company, Delights of Christmas, asked Nick to nominate a kid they could surprise with Christmas lights and Nick nominated Trent. Trent was so happy, he LOVES the lights.

What are Trent's favorite backpack items?

Trent loves his little Seal stuffed animal.

What are Trent's Hobbies?

Trent loves Superheroes, animals, rollercoasters and sports and entertaining his little sister Sydney. Trent is daredevil He is a very compassionate person and loves people.

Nick's thoughts on Trent?

I've known Trent since he was 6 months old- he is a biliary atresia buddy. Trent is kind of a mini-me. He has a super positive outlook and love to be active. He's happy all the time. Trent likes to pretend sword fight with me and loves the transformers I got him for his birthday. He is such a great kid.

Nick's Picks at the 9th Annual Desert Classic

Lacrosse Tournament

The weekend after Thanksgiving was once again full of team spirit and great lacrosse at the 9th Annual Palm Desert Lacrosse Classic. I played a w hopping 6 games in just over 24 hours! It was great to see Coach Tom DeMaio and my friends from Team12 Elite. This year's tournament was played in honor of Nick's Picks with a portion of the proceeds donated to helping Nick's Picks provide backpacks to hospitalized kids this past Christmas.

Coach Tom DeMaio on Team12/Nick's Picks

It was an honor to be able to interview Coach DeMaio during the tournament. He's a great role model to all the athletes he coaches.

Nick's Picks- Looking Ahead to 2017

Looking back at 2016, I can't help but feel proud at what Nick's Picks has accomplished. We've put a lot of smiles on a lot of kid's faces. We acquired eight new centers to deliver to.

We also delivered our 1,000th backpack (and counting!)

Looking ahead, we are setting a goal of delivering 2,000 backpacks in 2017, and more!

Nick's Picks is now partnering with more centers than ever. That is why we have launched The 2017 Nick's Picks Backpack Challenge. Our goal is to raise the funds necessary to continue Nick's Picks mission of spreading cheer to sick kids across the country. Please be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay updated on our fundraising progress. We have also started a Go Fund Me Campaign to help meet our goal of providing 2,000 backpacks in 2017.

If you can donate, please do. Any amount will help Nick's Picks to help hospitalized, isolated children across the country, make the best of a bad situation.

Gofundme.com/NicksPicks

On a personal note, I am looking forward to playing lacrosse with my buddies on Team12 Elite and for Torrey Pines High School. I'll be back at Notre Dame this summer and will be able to see the kids at Memorial Hospital of South Bend.

Mostly, I am looking forward to making my second chance at life really count!

Sponsor Spotlight: San Diego SociaLights

(aka Delights of Christmas)

Delights of Christmas is a family owned and operated business who kick started their adventure into the lighting world in 2009. What started out as a fun side business quickly blossomed and became a full time business in 2013.

Not only do they have a blast lighting up San Diego during the holidays, they are providing lighting for weddings and events year-round as San Diego SociaLights,

Originally from New Jersey, The Delights of Christmas family (Kelle,Ryan,Tim and Eryn) loves the fact that their jobs allow them to be outside in the grueling San Diego winters ;-)

They have a soft spot for happiness, and who isn't happy when their home, business, or community is glowing with light magic?? So, it's safe to say it's the smiles, thank yous, and excitement they get from they're happy clients after they've completed the work that make their jobs so rewarding.

Two years ago San Diego SociaLights/Delights of Christmas signed up with One Percent for the Planet . This gives them an outlet to give back 1% of their time or earnings each year. Now, after getting connected with Nick last season, they have added another way they get to do something special with their work. Delights of Christmas has given Nick and Nick's Picks the honor of selecting a special child to receive a beautiful lights display for their home during the holiday season. This year our December V.I.P. Trent Boaz was the lucky recipient. When he saw the lights he was so excited. "This is the BEST day ever!" he said.

"Having the opportunity to light up Trent's house this year was probably one of the most rewarding days of our season." says Eryn, of Delights of Christmas.

Nick's Picks would like to say a BIG Thank you to Delights of Christmas for their support and generous spirit.

Nick's Picks Gives Back To Make-A- Wish at

The Hotel Del Coronado

It was a great evening at the Make-A-Wish Skate Event sponsored by the Hotel Del Coronado. Nick was there handing out stuffed seals; the official mascot of Nick's Picks, and special edition Nick's Picks/Team12 cozy lacrosse socks to the kids. Nick also had the opportunity interview some of the Make-A-Wish kids,as well as Chris Sichel, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation San Diego.

Check out our Make-A-Wish video

It was a lot of fun to see all the kids having such a great time. And they all loved their Nick's Picks gear!

Nick Wallace, CEO

(Chief Entertainment Officer)

Lexie Wallace, CFO

(Chief Fun Officer)

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OUR MISSION STATEMENT

Nick's Picks is a 501c3 charity established by liver transplant recipient Nick Wallace in 2012. It exists to support hospitalized children with serious, chronic illnesses and isolation.

The charity's focus is to provide backpacks loaded with the items Nick found most useful, fun and comforting to children hospitalized and often living in isolation - in an effort to raise their spirits and keep them engaged through activities. Through our efforts we also hope to offer a sense of comfort and support to these children and their families.

Our greatest hope is to create an epidemic of compassion and giving, inspiring others to make a difference in the world around them, through caring, and assistance to young community members in need.

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Congratulations

to our

Marriott Stay-cation winner!

Congratulations to our October Stay-cation raffle winner Susan Quinn. We are thrilled for her and appreciate all her support through the years.

We will have another stay-cation raffle soon, this time at the Hotel Del Coronado!

Make sure you are watching your emails and keeping up with us on Facebook for the details.

You could be the lucky winner!

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