Eagles employees gathered at the NovaCare Complex ahead of the team’s upcoming game against the Broncos to welcome four Make-A-Wish children and their families. The children, Liam, Hunter, Nicholas, and Christopher, participated in a multi-day experience organized by the Philadelphia Eagles in partnership with Fanatics and Make-A-Wish.
The visit began with a tour of Lincoln Financial Field. Each child received custom Midnight Green jerseys and trading cards before heading to the NovaCare Complex. There, they signed symbolic contracts with Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman present. The boys then autographed posters and trading cards for staff members.
Michela Mennella of Make-A-Wish Philadelphia said, “It’s all about the kids themselves and what they like, and for them to completely try to just put aside all the hardship that they went through… So just kind of feel a little bit of normalcy and just leave that all [behind]. And they are the VIPs. Truly, this is for them.”
During their visit, Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie surprised the group along with Pro Football Hall of Famer Harold Carmichael and Eagles Hall of Famer Mike Quick. The children also tried on an Eagles Super Bowl LIX ring and posed for photos.
Mennella added, “[The Eagles] truly get the mission, and they truly put the Wish Kids forefront… I just love it. It means so much because being here and witnessing the faces of these kids lighting up and just smiling, even the shy ones, it just really makes it so worth it.”
Jackie Welker from Make-A-Wish America noted the involvement from across the organization: “We are seeing so many members of the [Eagles] organization just coming forward and leaning in and embracing these families and just having these moments with these kids and these families just to light up their day. And you can tell it’s just such a valued partnership.”
Eagles Insider Dave Spadaro led a facility tour that included stops at key team locations such as the auditorium—where Eagles legend Brandon Graham met with them—the Pro Bowl hallway, Super Bowl LIX shrine, weight room, cafeteria for lunch, practice viewing area where players signed autographs after practice ended.
Special moments included Christopher meeting his favorite player DeVonta Smith. The visit will conclude with attendance at Sunday’s game in Philadelphia.
“You can just see the joy and the hope, and you just see their spirits lifted,” Welker said. “These people that they see as such larger-than-life figures on television are now personal in their world, and it’s just something money can’t buy.”
