Riverstone - Wish Granted! Young Riverstone Resident Wishes for 1,000 Trees

A very special young lady had a wish to see more trees planted throughout the area — much like the majestic trees she sees in her neighborhood of Riverstone.

That wish came true, thanks to Make-A-Wish ® Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana and At Trees for Houston, which donated Southern Magnolias, Eastern Redbuds, and Loblolly Pines to fulfill her wish of planting 1,000 trees.

This generous wish came after Wish Kid Aria witnessed the devastation wrought by destructive storms last summer, which caused severe damage to homes and landscaping. Inspired by her love for the big trees in Riverstone and her recent lessons on the environment, Aria made her heartfelt wish.

Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana orchestrated collection events April 12 at Constellation Field and Memorial Park where people could pick up trees to take home. Riverstone’s Homeowners Association also supported Aria’s wish by collecting 50 Southern Magnolia and Eastern Redbuds to be planted throughout the community.

"We are so grateful for the support Aria and our family have received from the community and Make-A-Wish,” said Rufina Momin, Aria’s mom. “Through Aria's wish for 1,000 trees, we have seen her confidence soar. This wish has inspired and empowered her to think big. We are thrilled that 50 of Aria's trees will be placed within the Riverstone community, and we can't wait to watch her trees blossom for years to come.”

Riverstone HOA General Manager Jaime Villegas said the trees will be placed in areas that had lost trees due to storms or health issues. One tree will be planted in a common area near Aria’s home and dedicated to her in a special ceremony. A plaque will pay tribute to her kind heart.

Riverstone residents who were notified of the event by the HOA and the surrounding area came through for Aria, picking up all 1,000 trees. They are sharing photos of the trees being planted on social media with the hashtag #wishestakeroot.

“Aria’s wish is more than just planting trees; it’s about fostering hope and resilience in the face of adversity,” said Shelly Millwee, CEO and President of Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana, prior to the April 12 collection day. “Aria is a superhero to us. By joining us on Aria’s wish day, and adopting a tree, you are not only helping to rebuild a community but also empowering a brave, young girl who dreams of making a difference. Together we can unite forces to help Aria achieve her goal and create a greener, healthier future for everyone.”

Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana is one of 58 chapters throughout the United States. The chapter has granted more than 11,500 wishes since its inception in 1984 — including a record-breaking 602 wishes during the 2024 fiscal year. Millwee said wishes like Aria’s only happen with the support of corporate and community partners. To learn more about the local chapter, visit www.wish.org/texgulf.

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