Caitlin Lewis
Through our flourishing relationship with Rob Walker, Program Director at Seattle’s 100.7 The Wolf, we found ourselves in an opportunity to actually give back to the community. A Washington state resident in nearby Whidbey Island, Kat Lewis’ wish was to enter a studio and record herself singing over some of her favorite songs. Here is the official Make-A-Wish Foundation internal memo covering the events of the day:
Caitlin Lewis (a.k.a. Kat) had an amazing wish-come true on Friday, April 6th!
Her wish to record a sample CD would not have been possible without the amazing help and support of Rob and everyone at The Wolf as well as Michael Berlin and his team at IQ Beats in Belltown. The day started off with a limo arrival at The Wolf at 9:00 a.m. Her mother, Jo, and two wish-granting volunteers, Katie Ritter and Keith Yoshida, were with her. She was greeted by about 20 cheerful employees from The Wolf and Kiss FM in front of the building! King 5 caught her entrance on camera.We all proceeded to the 16th floor, enjoyed some bagels and coffee and awaited Kat’s entrance to chat with Fitz and Mary on-air. Kat proceeded into the room where Mary and Fitz were doing their live broadcast of the morning show. Kat chatted with Fitz on-air for a little while about her wish and our Foundation. Then, Trent Tomlinson made his grand entrance into the room to meet Kat! Trent is a fairly new country singer, but he still made the time to fly all the way here to meet Kat. We have Chris Loss from Lyric Street Records to thank for this wonderful wish perk!
Fitz encouraged Kat to interview Trent on-air. Kat did a lovely job and Trent told her that she should consider being on the radio if a singing career doesn’t work out for her. Of course, King 5 was there to catch this wonderful wish unfolding right there at The Wolf! Kat was with Fitz, Trent and Mary for about 30 minutes. Trent even gave her a cute “Trent” tank top and a signed CD. She enjoyed meeting someone who has made their life-dream a reality! Trent had to leave around 10:00 a.m. to catch a flight to Atlanta for a concert.
After saying our goodbyes and many thank you’s, we were off to enjoy the sun at Pike Place Market. We had a very entertaining encounter with the “fish-throwing” boys. They became a special part of Kat’s wish day by letting her catch a fish in front of the crowd as well as asking her to sing to them (which she did ever so well). Then, they left a “surprise” package in her purse which we discovered in the limo: a fish head wrapped in plastic. Interesting…. She loved her “Seattle” gift from the fish boys.
On to lunch at the Met! Rob (a.k.a. Possum) and Michael from IQ Beats joined us for a wonderful lunch. The manager, Lance, was expecting us and surprised us all with a grand finale to our meal: bananas floster and cherries jubilee. Delicious! Kat felt so special!!!
Last but not least, we made our way to IQ Beats, where Kat was able to record two songs– That’s the Way It Is by Celine Dion and a Phantom of the Opera duet with one of her good singer-friends from school. Michael had his crew were all ready for us (a vocal coach, a master-composer and a photographer). It was a long, but fun, afternoon. Kat had the time of her life! She was able to record a CD that would “sample” her vocal abilities for future colleges and drama departments. She received celebrity treatment right here in Seattle, from the Space Needle to The Wolf, to the Met, to IQ Beats and she finished her wish on Pier 55 at Red Robin for a classic wish celebration meal.
Kat will have a CD release party as a wish party in a couple of weeks. She is excited to show her friends and family pictures and let listen to her CD and on-air interview from The Wolf on her special day. Attached are some pics from the day.
Phew! Another wonderful wish is granted…….
Jessie Elenbaas
Wish Coordinator
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Alaska, Montana,
N. Idaho and Washington
