Dakoda (above) dreams of meeting Captain Jack Sparrow
“Everybody has really climbed on-board this, and is helping out,” said Sawyer Motors’ sales manager Ray Tucker when speaking about the dealership’s efforts to raise $20,000 to help grant the wish of a local youngster, and others like him suffering from life-threatening illnesses.
Working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Sawyer Motors has taken on the task of trying to raise money to send 10-year-old Dakoda and his family [last name withheld] to Disney World, where the youngster would get his wish to meet Captain Jack Sparrow.
The proceeds from Sawyer Motors’ annual car show, July 8 this year, will go toward the fundraising effort.
A number of local businesses have also taken up a challenge issued by Sawyer Motors to help raise funds, Tucker said.
In May, the Main Street Restaurant, Dutch Ale House, and Mirabella took part in Star Wars and raised a total of $1,500. This month, Village Pizza, Stella’s Station, and Sawyer Savings Bank along with McDonalds will be vying to see which business can raise the most money for Make-A-Wish. Main Street Restaurant, the Dutch, Mirabella, Village Pizza, Stella’s, and Sawyer Motors are also sponsors of the car show.
“We don’t just want to make Dakoda’s wish come true, we want to help other area youngsters as well,” Tucker said. “We live in a great community, and people are really stepping up to help raise the money.”
Even local teens are helping out. Saugerties High School sophomore and track standout Shannon Averill, daughter of the high school principal, donated money raised at her 16th birthday to the Make-A-Wish effort and Morgan Finch Fund, which goes to a local youngster suffering from Leukemia.
“This is really tremendous,” Tucker said. “The Saugerties community just really comes together to help out those in need.”
WHAT ABOUT THE LITTLE GIRL BATTLING lUKEMIA?? HOW MANY TRIPS DOES MAKE A WISH DO FOR EACH CHILD ??? I THOUGHT IT WAS ONE TRIP FOR EVERY CHILD?? SO THAT IT IS FAIR TO EACH CHILD WHO HAS LIFE THREATENING ILLNESS? I AM SUPPORTIVE TO EACH CHILD WHO IS ILL ,I HAVE A CHILD WITH A LIFE THREATENING ILLNESS AND ALWAYS LEFT THIS FOR THE KIDS WHO REALLY NEED IT . WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER LITTLE GIRL WHO WAS IN THAT BAD ACCIDENT . I HOPE THAT THESE CHILDREN GET SOMETHING SPECIAL OUT OF ALL THIS TOO..AND THEIR ARE MANY PARENTS IN OUR AREA THAT NEED HELP TO TRANSPORT THESE CHILDREN TO HOSPTIALS OUT OF OUR AREA, PLACES TO STAY IN WHILE OUT OF TOWN . MAYBE WE SHOULD AS A COMMUNITY DO A SPECAIL DAY TO RAISE MONEY FOR SUCH THINGS AND HAVE FOOD,AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES FOR THE FAMILY THAT HAS TO STAY HOME WHILE THE OTHERS ARE BEING TREATED .. JUST A THOUGHT ???