The Make-A-Wish organization’s tristate chapter has been coordinating and overseeing the granting of wishes to more than 17,000 critically ill children since 1983.
Recently, Recreations Outlet in Milford was awarded the opportunity to fulfill a local child’s wish—to have a custom gaming and movie-viewing clubhouse right in his own backyard.
Caz Wishes
Caz, an 11-year-old Lawrenceburg resident, has been battling cystic fibrosis since birth. He wanted a place to escape the realities of life and get away to enjoy what he loves most—gaming and scary movies.
Once his wish was approved, Make-A-Wish reached out to Recreations Outlet, who has worked with them for the past 15 years (granting 10 wishes this year alone). To start the wish-granting process, they were given a general idea of what Caz wanted. Then, it was up to them to reach out to his parents to get additional details and requests, according to Recreations’ special projects coordinator, Kayla Blankenship.
Recreations Grants
The pre-built shed was delivered to Recreations, where it was then painted and detailed to Caz’s specifications. “Caz wanted a gaming/scary movie shed with a loft, and colored blue, green, teal and purple,” Kayla says. “He wanted it to include a porch swing, basketball hoop and a custom sign for the outside that said ‘Caz’s Savage Zone’ ... all of which we were able to [incorporate]!”
Kayla added that even though the shed took almost two months to complete and install in the family’s backyard, the Recreations’ staff truly enjoyed being part of wish-granting—giving it their all to bring it together to make Caz happy.
Although COVID-19 thwarted plans for the big reveal, Caz was surprised nonetheless. “To see the look on Caz’s face as we pulled up ... it was definitely a big reveal in his eyes!” Kayla says.
