CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – The Make-A-Wish Foundation announced it is honoring Live 5 News sports anchor and reporter Summer Huechtker among a group of women for the roles they play in the community.

Huechtker, who was also named as the Charleston City Paper’s ‘Sportscaster of the Year’, joins Ashley Daly, Erin Diehl, Ashley Jackson, Sarah Kassouf, Stephanie Postell, Linda Ryan, Grace Swink and Juliette Walker, who have all been named W.I.S.H. honorees. W.I.S.H. stands for Women Inspiring Strength and Hope.

“I’m so excited to be following in the footsteps of some inspiring women at Live 5 and becoming a wish ambassador,” Huechtker says. “I was able to attend a WISH event last year and was inspired to help grant wishes for kids in the Lowcountry. I can’t wait to get started.”

The kickoff for this group of women took place Thursday night at Sechey in downtown Charleston.

Live 5 Evening Anchor Michal Higdon was a W.I.S.H. honoree three years ago, Live 5 Morning Anchor Katie Kamin was an honoree two years ago, and Palmetto Life Host Emilie Zuhowski was an honoree last year. They are excited to keep the tradition in the Live 5 family.

For more than 40 years, Make-A-Wish has brought transformational wishes to more than 330,000 children and families.

Make-A-Wish is committed to ensuring that no child waits even one unnecessary day to experience the hope and joy that a wish brings. When a wish is granted, a child replaces fear with confidence, sadness with joy, and anxiety with hope. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness — giving them a better chance of surviving and thriving.

Every day, 70+ children are diagnosed with a critical illness.

As an honoree, Huechtker pledged to raise at least $7,500 to help fund a wish for a child in South Carolina.

Click here to learn more or donate to the program.

The Make-A-Wish South Carolina chapter granted its first wish on Nov. 10, 1984, when it helped a 5-year-old boy battling a brain tumor who wished to see “a big-time football game” to attend a home game at The Citadel.

To date, the South Carolina chapter has granted more than 4,500 wishes.

Also, this Sunday at the South Carolina Stingrays game it’s Kids Takeover Day. Make-A-Wish South Carolina is the Rays beneficiary of the raffle for this game. If you’re at the game, please consider participating! You can get tickets here.

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