HOPE — Toyota Material Handling North America has granted a big wish for a Hope teen whose just wanted a way to stay close with his friends while he recovers from Hodgkins lymphoma.
Just over a year ago, Joe Newcomb, who lives near Hope, finished radiation for a tumor that was part of his treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. However, while the radiation was completed in late 2019, Joe’s mother, Melissa Newcomb, recalls that he was "very slowly trying to recover and get the pain under control" for all of 2020.
The year wasn’t made any easier by global (and local) changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With the pandemic, Joe and his friends weren’t able to get together as often as they would’ve liked to over the summer and through the year," Melissa said.
So, when Joe, who is 17 years old, had the chance to make a request of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, he asked for a way to connect with his friends — virtually.
The teen asked for Nintendo Switches and Minecraft for five of his friends, as well as a Switch for himself (to replace one that was in bad shape). This way, his friends who didn’t already have the devices would be able to connect with those that did.
"This is something that they enjoy doing sometimes, and it’s a way for them to connect even when they’re not together," Melissa said.
Joe had considered some other ideas such as a shopping spree, trip or "revamping" his bedroom.
“It just came to me, I guess, that I wanted to hang out with my friends more, so I got the Switches so we could hang out together online," he said.
Toyota Material Handling North America helped grant Joe’s wish for himself and his friends. Shelley Bramlett, executive assistant to the company’s president and CEO Brett Wood, who is a fervent supporter of "Make a Wish," said Joe’s request was for a total of six Switches and six Minecraft games.
Granting it was an instantaneous decision for the company, Bramlett said.
"His wish, we thought, was kind of unique, because it was selfless," said Bramlett. "It was one to share with his friends and not some big wish for himself, like a camper or a pet or a trip or anything like that. He wanted to share it.”
Bramlett delivered the wish herself to the Newcomb home, as well as bringing pizza, a cake decorated with a miniature Toyota forklift, T-shirts for everyone and decorations for the celebration.
Joe’s friends didn’t know they would be receiving anything, and Joe said that they were excited and surprised to get their gifts as part of his "wish."
“They’re all very supportive," Melissa said of Joe’s friends. "They were wonderful friends all through his chemotherapy and treatment. They came to the hospital several times. And when he was home from the hospital and wanted to have friends over, they would just always make sure they could show up to be there for him.”
Joe also got some unexpected gifts of his own. In addition to what he asked for, Bramlett said that Toyota gave some presents geared toward his musical talents. These gifts included an amp, a Bluetooth speaker, wireless headphones and guitar picks.
“There are a lot of children right here in our community that face challenges and battle illnesses that no child ever should," Wood said in a statement. "… We’re honored and humbled to partner with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to bring some joy to local children and their families and hopefully give them a break from the unthinkable challenges they face every day.”
Joe said that he’s been doing better, though he tires easily if he exercises. He also has a rare condition called Autoimmune Autonomic Ganglionopathy.
"Our wonderful Hope community and Hauser High School has done so much to help us get through this," Melissa said. "They’ve been very good at giving Joe extra accommodations that he needed at school, to help him through. He basically was not able to finish out most of his classes last year, so they worked with him over and over again to redo his schedule.”
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Toyota Material Handling North America began its 2021 Make-A-Wish Campaign in early February. Bramlett said that their goal is for associates to raise $7,500. If they do, the company will match the amount for a total of $15,000, which is the average cost of a "wish."
Proceeds up to $15,000 will go toward granting the wish of a 9-year-old boy, Kellen, who has asked for a backyard makeover (which associates will help with in spring or early summer).
Bramlett said that the company typically exceeds its goal. She said that depending on how much extra money is raised, they will likely either purchase additional gifts for Kellen and his family, or possibly even be able to grant another child’s wish, as they did in 2019.
The public can help contribute to the associates’ goal by attending two fundraising events: A 5K on April 24 at the Toyota Campus, and a golf scramble on May 15 at Timbergate Golf Course in Edinburgh.
Registration for the 5K is available at signmeup.com/reg/form/136242/registration. Tickets for the golf scramble are available at Eventbrite.
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The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America’s mission is to "create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses." Companies can become involved by becoming corporate sponsors.
"Wishes are more than just a nice thing," the foundation’s website states. "And they are far more than gifts, or singular events in time. Wishes impact everyone involved—wish kids, volunteers, donors, sponsors, medical professionals and communities. For wish kids, just the act of making their wish come true can give them the courage to comply with their medical treatments. Parents might finally feel like they can be optimistic. And still others might realize all they have to offer the world through volunteer work or philanthropy."
For more information, visit https://wish.org/.
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