News release from
City of Fort Wayne and Make-A-Wish® Set to Welcome Missouri Child Whose Wish is to Visit Peg Perego Plant
Battling a congenital heart condition, seven-year-old Jackson’s dream is to see where his favorite Peg Perego children’s riding vehicles are made
(March 30, 2016) — On April 6, locally-based Peg Perego, Visit Fort Wayne, and Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana will roll out the red carpet for seven-year-old Jackson, of Glendale, Mo., whose heartfelt wish is to see where his favorite ride-on Gator vehicles are made. Jackson has been diagnosed with Shone’s Complex, a congenital heart condition that limits his ability to play and run outdoors. He spends the majority of his day driving play trucks in imaginary construction zones he’s created throughout his home.
“As the first wish kid to visit Peg Perego, Jackson will experience a truly special day, including a behind-the-scenes look at our assembly, shipping and customer service facilities,” said Nicolas Perego of Peg Perego. “Additionally, Jackson will spend time on the assembly line creating a Gator vehicle from start-to-finish. He’ll be a full-fledged assembly line manager for the day.”
Peg Perego manufactures a series of children’s ride-on vehichles in their Fort Wayne plant, including John Deere tractors, Case IH Tractorsand Polaris ATVs.
While in Fort Wayne, Jackson also will have an opportunity to meet Mayor Tom Henry, attend a Fort Wayne Komets ice hockey game and visit the Fort Wayne Firefighters’ Museum and Science Central.
“Jackson’s experience illustrates how a granted wish has the power to rally an entire community together to create lasting memories for a child,” said Doug Kelly, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana. “We’re incredibly grateful for the support of Peg Perego, Visit Fort Wayne and all of the local partners who are working together to make Jackson feel at home.”
Jackson’s wish is also being coordinated by his home chapter of Make-A-Wish Missouri.
For more information on ways to help grant wishes like Jackson’s, visit indiana.wish.org, call 1-877-206-9474 and follow Make-A-Wish on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @makeawishohkyin.
About Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana
Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Currently, there are 300 children in Indiana eligible for a wish. You can help share the power of a wish® by making a donation, volunteering, or referring a child. Make-A-Wish is in urgent need of volunteers in Northern and Southern Indiana. For more information, visit our website at indiana.wish.org or call 1-877-206-9474.
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