COLUMBUS, Ind. — “Crazy and overwhelming!”
That’s how a 19-year-old Indianapolis cancer survivor described one of the most extraordinary mornings of her life at Toyota Material Handling in Columbus on Wednesday when her wish was granted.
Wednesday’s Make-A-Wish celebration at the manufacturing facility was intended to be a surprise for Clara Roth, a recent graduate of Bishop Chatard High School in Broad Ripple.
It was almost three hours into her visit, immediately after a video presentation, that a giant wall in an auditorium was raised to reveal flashing lights, beaming Toyota associates swinging glow sticks, reflecting confetti falling from the ceiling, 3-D images bearing Toyota products – and even Indiana University cheerleaders.
Besides enthusiastically greeting the teenager, the cheerleaders also held up signs stating: “Your wish has been granted, Clara.”
It was at that moment that company president and CEO Brett Wood confirmed that Toyota Material Handling associates, in conjunction with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, had raised more than enough money to pay Clara’s first year of tuition at Indiana University.
Toyota Material Handling North America associates cheer during a Make a Wish ceremony for Clara Roth at Toyota Material Handling North America in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Clara asked Make a Wish for tuition assistance for Indiana University. Toyota Material Handling North America held golf outings and fundraisers to raise money for her tuition.
And there were even more surprises. When Wood mentioned he heard something had happened to her iPhone, Clara responded she had dropped it the night before and the entire screen went permanently dark.
With little time to spare, the company took fast action and was able to provide Clara with a stylish replacement.
In addition, the soon-to-be college freshman received a new MacIntosh Macbook computer, $500 in IKEA gift cards to furnish her dorm room, and a substantial amount of gear bearing IU logos.
For the complete story and more photos, see Thursday’s Republic.
