Eschenbaum foundation gives girl ‘trip of a lifetime'
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Make a Wish South Dakota and Montana got a big check Tuesday.
It was presented by a man who is no stranger to the non-profit, because back in the day, he too, was a Make a Wish kid.
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Ty Eschenbaum and his foundation presented Make-A-Wish South Dakota and Montana with a check for $100,000.
'It's moving to us to see children and families go through what they're going through and maintain their faith and positivity and their drive and continue to live their life,' Eschenbaum said.
Thanks to his donation today, nine-year-old Bella Knoff, who has epilepsy, will get to go on a trip of a lifetime.
'She is going to Hawaii,' Jim said.
Hawaii! Her family, with tears in their eyes, is deeply grateful.
'As a parent, all we ever want is to see our children smile, to see them feel joy, especially when they have to face more than any child should,' Suzy Knoff said.
Eschenbaum was a Make A Wish kid himself when he was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 15.
As a way to give back, Eschenbaum started his own foundation in memory of his wife Autumn, who passed away in 2019.
He raises the money with two big events each year; his annual fishing and golf tournament at Lake Poinsett in the summer, and the annual Earn The Gift Gala in the winter.
'Ty is a very special friend to our Make a Wish chapter, not only was he a Make a Wish kid and battled cancer when he was in high school, he's a model I think for our wish kids to look up to, but he also displays extraordinary generosity,' Make A Wish executive director Sue Salter said.
Bella's mom says her journey hasn't been an easy one, but it's also had an impact on the entire family. They are always there at Bella's side no matter what she's going through, good days and bad.
'They have been through tribulations as well, you are not only granting Bella a wish, but you are also brightening three other children's lives as well,' Knoff said.
Today is the 45th anniversary of World Wish Day and brings the total amount of money Eschenbaum's foundation has donated to Make a Wish to $315,000.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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