Make-A-Wish Founder Celebration of Life Ride – Organized by the Wish Riders: “Kickstands Up” for Charities
Arizona resident, Frank Shankwitz, co-founder, CEO, and the first President of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, passed away on January 22nd, 2021. The founder of the greatest global non-profit for children was asked: “What’s your wish?” His response? “To have my story told…”
Wish Riders is hosting a Celebration of Life Memorial Ride to honor the life of Frank Shankwitz on May 1st, 2021. The ride will originate in New River, Arizona at the Roadrunner Restaurant and Saloon, which is located at 47801 N. Black Canyon Hwy. Riders will meet at 10:00 am with “kickstands up” heading to Prescott at 11:00 am.
Riders will stop at Legends Harley Davidson in Mayer, Arizona for a rest stop with provided beverages and snacks. They will leave there and head out to circle the courthouse square and arrive at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds at 840 Rodeo Dr. Prescott, Arizona 86305 for the 1:00 pm celebration. It will be a day filled with music including; Justin Hitson & Southbound and Ryan Weaver, vendors, tributes, family, and friends as we celebrate Frank and his legacy.
In 2015, Frank was identified as one of the “10 Most Amazing Arizonans.” Now Arizonans will have one helluva ride in honor of Frank’s life. The event will have pre-sale discounted tickets available for $10 and can be purchased at this website. Frank’s family will use the money made to benefit charities Frank supported including; The Wounded Blue, U.S. Vets, The Western Heritage Center, Prescott Chapter, and United Animal Friends, Prescott Chapter.
Frank was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement. He began as an Arizona Highway Patrol Motorcycle Officer, and retired as a Homicide Detective with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, with 42 years of service. He was featured in numerous publications and television programs and received several notable awards, including the White House Call To Service Award from both President George W. Bush and President Donald J. Trump, and the “Making a Difference In The World” award from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
In 2015, Frank joined six U.S presidents as well as Nobel Prize winners and industry leaders as a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. In 2017, Frank was presented the Unite4: Humanity Celebrity ICON Social Impact Award. In February 2018, Frank shared the stage with Matthew McConaughey at Universal Studios at the LA City Gala and was presented the first City Gala Hero Award. In June 2019, Frank joined 89 celebrities when he received his “STAR” on the Las Vegas Walk of Fame.
Frank’s life story was told in his book, Wish Man, and was later featured in a motion picture by the same name that was released in June 2019, which can be seen on Netflix. Copies of the book, Wish Man will be available for purchase at the event along with a children’s book he wrote called Wishes Won’t Wash Dishes to raise additional funds for his charities.
“The thing about wishes…They sometimes come true. Now and then they’ll be granted. You can work for them too.” – Frank Shankwitz
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