Rice Elementary second-grader wins dream award

March 18, 2009

By By JoAn Bjarko
The Wellington

 

James Waechter, a second-grader at Rice Elementary School, will top off spring break with a dream that would captivate any young boy — a family weekend in Denver and VIP seating at a Denver Nuggets game.

The dream maker is the Loveland-based Macdonald Family Charity, which grants dreams to children and youth who are terminally or chronically ill, injured, in a foster care environment or from a family with a low income.

When applying to the program, James’ mother, Katie, had to think about what her son would really enjoy. James, who has cerebral palsy, is nonverbal, so she couldn’t just ask.

“He loves basketball and watching the Denver Nuggets with his dad,” Katie Waechter said. “I wanted a day when he’s treated like a superstar.”

The dream-come-true starts Thursday evening with a visit to ESPN Zone, two nights at the downtown Magnolia Hotel, practice with the Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on Friday morning, a shopping spree at the Nuggets’ store and then VIP seating for the entire family at the Friday night game against the Washington Wizards.

Family includes parents, James and Katie; twin sister, Libby, who also has cerebral palsy; little brother, Max; and his grandparents.

With cheers and applause, James’ classmates witnessed the surprise announcement of the upcoming jaunt on March 11 at the school.

“This is something we always dreamed of,” Katie said.

“For all of us who have been blessed throughout our lives, it’s a way to give back,” said volunteer Don Brown, who presented a framed certificate to James.

Applications for the next grant are being accepted through April 15. They are available online at www.macdonaldfamilycharity.org or by calling 667-6119. Donations to the nonprofit charity founded by AJ and Molly Macdonald may also be made online.

For overall eligibility in one of the four Macdonald Family Charity Dream categories, a child must be between the ages of 2 and 18 when the application is received or the dream is granted, and they and their family must reside in Larimer or Weld counties. This charity, which is local and serves a broader population, is separate from similar national groups.

The charity is also supported by several fund-raising events throughout the year. Macdonald Family Charity Golf Tournament is scheduled for June 6 at Highland Meadows Golf Course.