Wishful Thinking

Attorney and business man, Bryan Hosto, keeps a busy schedule, but always makes time for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year, he's part of the committee for a brand new event, Farm Fresh Wishes, that hopes to be deliciously successful.

Q: First and foremost, tell us how you first learned about and became involved with Make-A-Wish.

Our law firm has a program we call "Dollars for Denim" where employees can donate $5 each Friday and wear jeans. The firm gathers the money and makes an additional gift on top. Make-A-Wish was one of a few select organizations that we chose because we love their mission of granting wishes to kids with life-threatening medical conditions. Recently I was asked to join the inaugural Central Arkansas Wish Council and help raise awareness of Make-A-Wish in Arkansas, and we are planning our first fund raising event, Farm Fresh Wishes.

Q: You've got a very diverse professional background as an attorney and businessman, yet you still find the time to volunteer with Make-A-Wish. Why is this organization so important to you?

First, I love its simplicity. Simply granting a wish to a child who is suffering a very serious medical condition- who could argue with that? Second, the impact is immediate and tangible. You can see the kid's faces and know that you have made a difference. These kids and their families are going through such a difficult time. It is great to know that you have given them something fun to think about as a diversion to the very serious issues they face. The icing on the cake is the staff and local Wish Council, who are very committed to Make-A-Wish.

Q: Besides being a founder of Hosto Buchan and Prater, LLC, you consult with start-up companies, work in real estate and founded your own investment holding company. Do you ever find that the skills you use in your career carry over to your civic work and make you a better volunteer?

Yes, definitely. Things such as budgeting, planning, project management and other business skills are always helpful. Plus, in business, you are forced to measure things by objective results, not just intent. I think all charities have great intentions, but having intentions doesn't mean you are accomplishing your goals. Objective measurement brings focus to what you are trying to accomplish. Another key strength that many business people bring is their ability to call on a large network of contacts with resources. Many times Make-A-Wish needs a specific skill, service or product. When you know a lot of people, you can usually pick up the phone, and people are typically eager to help once they learn of the child and the specific wish.

Q: Tell us about Farm Fresh Wishes and what people can expect from the event.

We have seven talented local chefs creating seven courses of locally-grown produce, all of which has been generously donated, along with wine pairings. The evening's setting will be the picturesque Presidential Library. While that sounds great by itself, the best part will be hearing about Make-A-Wish. Make-A-Wish stories are some of the most heartwarming and fulfilling stories! The evening will culminate with the granting of a wish to a Make-A-Wish child and guests will be a part of something very special that they will never forget.

Q: Hosto, Buchan and Prater, LLC is serving as a presenting sponsor for the inaugural event. What are you expectations for the evening?

When I first joined the local board, Carissa Godwin, the Director of Development at Make-A-Wish expressed her desire that we raise awareness about Make-A-Wish in the Central Arkansas community. While Make-A-Wish is well known nationally, it has only recently begun to be known well locally. My hope is that the evening will leave people talking about the good work that Make-A-Wish does in Central Arkansas. It is a great story that we need to tell better, and hopefully this will become an annual event.

Q: The evening's meal will include locally-grown produce and you've even teamed up with local farmers. Is supporting local farmers something that is important to you? Do you practice these habits in your personal life? If so, what are some other "green" lifestyle practices you've adapted?

Well, it is easy to want to support local farmers because the food just tastes better! Anyone who has ever had a home grown tomato knows that. Our family loves going to the farmer's market when we can, and we do some light recycling at home. In real estate, I love to see adaptive reuse of older buildings.

I think green initiatives are best, however, when they can use a carrot rather than a stick approach. If you cannot show someone an equal or better alternative to their preferred behavior or consumption habits, it's just a difficult uphill battle. It can often become political, and people tend to dig in their heels. If, however, you are able to show them that a particular green choice is in their best individual interest, such as saving them money or bringing them a better quality of life, then people easily embrace the concept. You can then build on that.

Farm Fresh Wishes will take place Thursday, September 22, 6:30 p.m., at the Clinton Presidential Library. Call 501-376-9474 for tickets.