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By ALAN K. STOUT [email protected]
Saturday, May 20, 2000 Page: 7A
WILKES-BARRE TWP. – For a 16-year-old Jersey Shore girl, meeting the
hard-rock group Creed had been a dream.
On Friday night at the First Union Arena, it became a reality.
Amber, who is suffering from bone cancer, was able to visit with the
Florida-based band – which has sold nearly 9 million records during the past
three years – before the group’s performance at the arena. The meeting was
arranged by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and,
judging from her reaction, it lived up to all expectations.
During the pre-concert encounter, the extremely excited girl received hugs
from band members, autographs, and was able to ask them questions about their
music.
“It was awesome,” Amber said. “They were just so sweet and so nice and
caring. They didn’t have to do this. They took time out and it means a lot to
me.”
Her mother, Diane, said the experience was great. “I have chills right
now. A lot bands, from what I’ve heard, won’t do this, but for them to take
the time, I feel great.”
It was the first time the band had been told that someone involved with
Make-A-Wish had such a great desire to meet them. They appeared more than
happy to oblige.
“It’s really flattering,” said lead vocalist Scott Stapp. “It kind of
reaffirms our belief sometimes music can be much bigger than bells and
whistles on MTV. Obviously, the fact that we care so much about what we’re
saying, and realize the responsibility we have … it definitely makes us feel
good that we made an impact on her life in a positive way. It’s cool.”
“It’s intense,” said guitarist Mark Tremonti. “It makes you feel like
what you do is worthwhile. It’s good to have music that’s means something and
can actually change a person’s life. It’s very flattering. It chokes you up a
little bit.”
Before her meeting with the band, Amber was picked up at her home by Luxury
Limousine and taken to dinner at TGI Friday’s, where she shared a meal with
her family, friends and Make-A-Wish volunteer Jack McNulty. She was then
whisked off to the arena, where she was able to meet her favorite group.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a national, non-profit agency that
specialized in granting the wishes of seriously ill children and teens. Now in
its 20th year, the foundation has granted the wishes of more than 80,000
people.
Call Stout at 829-7131.