By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
Make-A-Wish Kansas recently recognized Thunder on the Plains and the Lang family.
Earlier this month, at the annual Kansas Regional Recognition Event in Wichita, Make-A-Wish of Kansas named Thunder on the Plains this year’s Wish Champion – Continuing Excellence Award recipient.
The honor celebrates individuals and organizations that go above and beyond in fundraising, raising awareness and inspiring their communities to give back.
Since 2016, through the annual Thunder on the Plains Car, Truck and Cycle Show, the group has supported more than 30 local organizations and established a scholarship fund for Ellis County students pursuing automotive studies.
To date, Thunder on the Plains has raised and given back more than $140,000 to the community.
Thunder on the Plains Secretary Jackie Lang said they are proud of the work they have done for the groups.
“It's always nice to be recognized,” Lang said, “but that's not the only reason we do it.”
A few years ago, the group began looking for a bigger organization to support. After Jackie’s husband, Mark, passed away, they decided to look into Make-A-Wish because he was very supportive of its mission.
The Langs’ oldest son, Brett, received a wish in 2009 when the family was living in Oklahoma.
Jackie Lang said they chose to support Make-A-Wish Kansas because of the impact it makes for local children.
"We wanted the money that we raise here to help kids that are in our area, not that we don't appreciate that kids all over Missouri and Kansas need wishes, but we wanted our money to stay mostly as local as we could get it, to help the kids around here," Lang said.
In the spring, during the annual car, truck and cycle show, 12-year-old Kinley Niernberger of Hays was granted her wish thanks to the support of Thunder on the Plains.
Kinley’s wish was to ride horses in Hawaii.
The year before, a young boy from Victoria received his wish to visit Disney World.
In just two years, Thunder on the Plains has raised more than $25,000 through live auctions at the annual shows, helping grant the wishes of four kids with illnesses.
Also, as part of the event in Wichita earlier this month, Jackie and the Lang family received Make-A-Wish’s highest honor for continued wish-family involvement, the Rhonda Moler Award.
The award is named after 10-year-old Kansas wish child Rhonda Moler, whose 1985 wish was to ride her horse in Arizona’s Parada del Sol Parade. She inspired her community to rally around her, and the award honors families who carry forward the Make-A-Wish mission through extraordinary volunteerism and advocacy.
Before Brett passed away from cancer in 2011, at the age of 18, he was able to experience his wish, a trip to Disney World.
Lang said it was a great experience.
"It just takes all the pressure off of you for a week. You don't have to worry about anything," Lang said. "Brett and our whole family just had a blast. It's something that's always been special to us."
When presenting the Lang family with the honor, Make-A-Wish said, “Jackie and her family have become true champions for our mission.”
“Their compassion and generosity embody the spirit of the Rhonda Moler Award, creating hope and healing for countless children and families.”