South Lake Tahoe the destination for a Carmichael girl through Make-A-Wish

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In the true community fashion South Lake Tahoe locals can be known for, a Carmichael girl's dream is coming true.

On Monday, February 8, Jennifer Palacios with Make-A-Wish in Reno posted on Facebook the story of 10-year-old Paola, a girl with a rare autoimmune disorder whose dream was to stay in a cabin with her family. She wanted to see snow, play games, watch movies, throw snowballs and make a snowman with her mother and siblings (ages 12 and 14).

"Everyone has to have fun and get in snowball fights! Just be a family together," said Paola in her wish according to Michele Sanders, VP of strategic communications with Make-A-Wish®, Northeastern & Central California and Northern Nevada.

The South Lake Tahoe community quickly responded and within a short time Michelle Benedict, owner of Pinnacle Lake Tahoe Getaways had a free vacation rental donated by one of her home owners. Other people joined in and donated snow clothing and equipment rentals, games, movies, gift baskets and gift cards.

Paola and her family are from Carmichael, near Sacramento. They will be in South Lake Tahoe February 15-20.

Sanders said the community has already stepped up and donated all the family will need for the week. There are other children like Paola who are still waiting for their moment and wish, she said. Last year her Reno area office fulfilled 20 wishes for kids in the area. Visit ttps://wish.org/canv for more information on how to help fulfill other wishes in the area.