Make-A-Wish® Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia

Lights, Camera, Action!

Grand Opening for Kendra’s Theater

Seven-year-old Kendra from McKees Rocks, PA, enjoys watching her favorite television shows, Sweet Life on Deck and Hannah Montana, and the movie Back to the Future. With such a passionate interest in the cinema and TV, Kendra knew her wish immediately. She wanted a theater so she could have sleepovers with friends and enjoy watching movies with her family for many years to come.

Kendra's big day finally arrived this summer. Early in the day, Kendra's grandma invited her to spend a day at the movies. While grandma, Kendra and her friend were attending the movie, many hands were busy putting theater chairs together, setting up Kendra's TV, assembling the popcorn cart, hanging wall decorations and getting the beverage cooler ready for the root beer and Sprite.

Many of Kendra's family and friends came to share in her big day. Everyone gathered in the new theater and quietly waited for Kendra to arrive home. When she came down the stairs, she was speechless and completely surprised. It took her a while to catch her breath from the excitement of her wish coming true. Kendra's wish volunteers, Dorothy Barkley and Marion Williams (pictured with her below), presented her with a large gift bag full of items to complete her theater wish: a Wii, Wii games, DVDs, a special Back to the Future gift set, a High School Musical wall clock and a cozy Hannah Montana coverlet for watching movies on chilly days.

Kendra exclaimed, "Wow!" when she opened her gifts. Kendra never stopped smiling as she opened the packages containing the Wii, the accompanying games and wall art. Although Kendra liked all of her gifts, her favorite was a light-up neon sign that said, "The Kendra Theater."

After opening all of her gifts, Kendra sat in her theater chairs, enjoying every minute. Kendra and everyone at her party ate a delicious ice cream cake, Kendra's favorite dessert, which had "KENDRA THEATER GRAND OPENING" spelled out in icing. The cake was served on Hannah Montana party plates, along with popcorn, fresh from her new popcorn cart. After the party, all of Kendra's friends stayed for a sleepover, which is sure to be the first of many to come for this special wish kid.