Big Mike gets a big wish
Published 6:00 am Monday, April 25, 2011
- Big Mike gets to visit with some of his favorite animals during a recent event at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center. He was treated to a shopping spree in Meridian on Saturday, April 9, by local Make-A-Wish volunteers and had the opportunity to pet and feed horses, which are among his favorite animals.
An area youth recently experienced a Make-A-Wish shopping spree in Meridian.
For Michael (Make-A-Wish officials requested the young teen’s last name not be published), his spree began early Saturday morning on April 9.
Coleman Transportation picked Michael up at 8 a.m. His first stop was Walmart on Highway 19. Shift manager Gabriel Robinson greeted Michael with an an employee name tag with “Big Mike” (what he likes to be called) printed on the name tag, along with several goodies.
Michael started off in the electronics department. He purchased an X-Box 360, a 32″ flat screen television, a computer, and a Nintendo 3DS for his sister. After a few other items Big Mike was ready to go next door to Game Stop for some games for his new system he bought. Mike picked out several games and a PSP system with the help from store manager, Kendrick Willis. Mike then took the limo (a stretch hummer) to Bonita Lakes Mall where he was escorted by mall security guard Kristie Brassfield.
Mike went to Buckle where manager Jason Dunnahoe had a dressing room reserved as VIP guest for Big Mike, along with a few goodies. Big Mike picked up a hat from Lids with his favorite baseball team logo, the Yankees. After a lunch time meal from Beef O’Bradys, Big Mike was taken down the road for a special treat.
Michael loves horses. so he was taken to the Lauderdale County Agri-Center where the National Barrel Horse Association MS07 was having time trials. After an announcement over the loud speaker for volunteers to bring their horses down for Mike to see and pet, a large crowd brought their horses with open arms for Big Mike to visit and give them treats, including Morgan Ratcliff and her horse Emme, Eric Pollard and his horse H.D., Britt, Leslie, and Lisa Pevey with their horse Turbo, Lauren Hamrick with her horse Nick, and Courtney Culpepper and Stud.
After some coaxing, Big Mike got on the horse named Stud, that belongs to Courtney Culpepper of Stonewall. It was hard to say what Mike enjoyed the most, shopping or being around the horses.
Wish grantors and volunteers were Crystal Price, Daphne Sutton, and Don Watkins. Make-A-Wish grants wishes for children with life threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. For more information on Make-A-Wish, call the Make-A-Wish office in Ridgeland at (601) 366-WISH (9474) or 800-819-4072, or Don Watkins at (601) 604-5499.
