Boy’s Generosity in Essay Results in Meal for Needy

Eleven-year-old Ryan Valencia was able to feed 20 people a turkey dinner complete with all the trimmings and dessert. All he had to do was wish for it.

The Fountain Valley boy won an essay contest sponsored by Mimi’s Cafe last month. His essay, “My Thanksgiving Wish,” was part of the restaurant’s “Write Stuff” contest. Ryan’s generous wish to feed the less fortunate was granted Wednesday night at the Joseph House, a men’s transitional living shelter in Santa Ana.

“People always say ‘If I was a millionaire, I would do this,’ but they don’t,” said Nathan Buchanan, a resident of the Joseph House who attended the dinner. “It’s cool that someone who’s not a millionaire says it and does it.”

About 20 men gathered to enjoy the holiday meal served by Ryan and his parents. The room was filled with excitement and awe that the young boy who opened the meal with a prayer was the one responsible for the holiday feast.

“I knew it would be nice if it came true,” said the modest boy who enjoyed the dinner beside one of the men from the Joseph House.

The fifth-grader won a grand prize of $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond and the granting of his wish. Because his selfless wish did not include something for himself, essay sponsors gave him four tickets to Disneyland.

“My friends said they wanted the key to my bank account,” Ryan said.

Still, after learning about his new winnings, Ryan had one request. He wanted to be present when his wish was granted so he could serve the dinner himself.

Out of 2,500 entrants from Southern California, Ryan was the only one who didn’t wish for anything for himself, said Bill Nobles, the general manager of the Mimi’s in Tustin which donated the food for the dinner.

“I’m glad that my son thinks like that,” said Gerry Valencia, Ryan’s father. “It’s nice to be related to someone who displays such humanitarian values.”

Though very proud of their son, Ryan’s parents weren’t surprised about his sense of charity. Like many other fifth-graders, the student at Courreges Elementary School in Fountain Valley plays sports and has his collection of Pokemon cards and Beanie Babies. However, he has from a very young age shown a deep concern for social and environmental issues, his parents said.

“We’ve had conversations about why food costs money because Ryan doesn’t understand why something that everybody needs should cost money,” said Cheryl Valencia, Ryan’s mother.

The boy still doesn’t believe he deserves any recognition for his kindhearted wish. His only care Wednesday night was to make sure the men enjoyed their dinner.

“If I had one more wish, I wish that all the poor people could have free medical care,” Ryan said.

Angelique Flores can be reached at (714) 965-7172, Ext. 14.