Make-A-Wish Wisconsin joined with Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport to cut the ribbon on two new children’s play areas on Concourse C and D on Thursday.
The existing spaces were remodeled and branded as Make-A-Wish Kids Zones.
They include updated play equipment, new paint and décor, including new custom carpeting. That carpeting is a cheery take on Lake Michigan and the airport’s longest runway, Runway 1L, also known as “One Left.”
The two areas are have the same look and play equipment. They are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are free to use.
“It was a natural fit to partner with Make-A-Wish on our updated children’s play areas,” said Airport Director Brian Dranzik.
“MKE and Make-A-Wish share a long history together, and many wish children have traveled through our Airport as part of their wishes coming true.”
Roughly three-quarters of wishes granted to children by Make-A-Wish involve a visit to the airport.
"Make-A-Wish Wisconsin is thrilled to partner with Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport on the new Kids Zone play areas on Concourse C and D,” said Make-A-Wish Wisconsin Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications Forrest Doolen.
“These spaces will give children and their families joy during their travels and highlight the need for airline miles to help grant wishes for kids battling critical illnesses."
County Executive David Crowley, who was also at the ribbon cutting, added, “Many other airports don’t offer inclusive, family-friendly amenities like this. I commend Brian and his team for working to bring this exciting new space to fruition and continuing to create an airport travel experience that is second to none.”
Complete airport information can be found at flymke.com.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
