The total raised through the 2023 Wish List is $66,199, more than enough to fulfill the wishes of all eight families and individuals whose stories appeared in The Enquirer. Remaining funds will be used to assist less fortunate people throughout the year.

Anita Thompson shares a one-bedroom Over-the-Rhine apartment with her two youngest grandchildren. It’s a small space filled with love.

The minor lower back pain and stiffness began about four years ago. Nothing to worry about, Lawrence Shelborne figured. But eventually, as he spent hours on his feet at his restaurant job, the pain worsened.

Chris, who turned 50 last month, has a developmental disability. Judy Muncy said that has not stopped her son from working much of his life.

Early this year, 14-year-old Marvilise walked into Nella’s Place for the first time. She recalls shedding some tears that day.

It was the day before Thanksgiving 2022. Shy’aire Wakefield and her baby sister, Soneek, lay on a bed in the two-story house their family rents. Then she saw smoke from an electrical fire that started in the wiring of an upstairs bedroom closet.

A boy named Wednor was in crisis and needed a place to spend the night. He stood at Crystal Wainscott’s door, accompanied by a police officer.

Valerie Whittle was parking the car when it happened. As she made her way into the Cincinnati Country Day football stadium, she saw people on the field gathered around an injured player.

A little over two years ago, Trissa Green had reason to be optimistic. What happened instead is a story of extraordinary heartache, of optimism turning to anguish.