Last weekend, a young Washington boy’s dream came true as Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern North Carolina arranged a dream trip for he and his family.

Lonnie Purvis, a five-year-old boy with heart disease, was granted the wish and leaves today for Walt Disney World and Legoland in Florida. Lonnie was also thrown a going-away party at McDonalds, compliments of owner Bill Purcell, and members of the Washington Police Department and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office coordinated a motorcade that cleared the way for Lonnie to be brought to the party by a Washington police officer.

Make-A-Wish grants wishes each year to children with terminal illnesses. But something that should be pointed out is that each time it does grant a wish locally, local organizations like the Washington Police Department, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and others have a hand in making the overall experience more special.

Some of Lonnie’s favorite things include fire trucks and police cars, resulting in a special ride in a fire truck, thanks to the Washington Fire Department, as well as the ride from his house to the party.

What the Make-A-Wish organization does is very important. It spreads hope and joy to those who may not experience those emotions very often. For a lot of people with terminal illnesses, especially children, every day is a struggle and a fight for survival. Having indication that someone cares through granting dreams, it uplifts that person and gives them a highlight in the midst of much difficulty. But to have organizations and people from one’s local community chip in to share the experience and make it better is even better.

Hats off to those in the community who play a big role in helping grant the dreams, as well as in making the experience that much more memorable.