An Indianapolis boy’s wish is about to come true with the help of employees at Toyota Material Handling in Columbus, Ind.
As part of the Make-A-Wish program, Toyota Material Handling is hoping to fund a trip for a 12-year-old boy diagnosed with multiple brain tumors in 2018. The boy had surgery to remove a large tumor and continues to receive chemo at Riley Hospital for Children once a week. This treatment regimen will continue until later this year.
The oldest of four children, the boy, whose name is Michael, wants to take his family on a trip to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.
When Toyota Material Handling CEO Brett Wood and Wood’s executive assistant, Shelley Bramlett, heard about the boy’s wish, they partnered with Make-A-Wish to make his wish come true.
“A wish experience can be a game-changer for a child with a critical illness,” Wood said. “These children and their families deserve the chance to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience that relieves them of the stress and worry that accompanies the treatment of a life-threatening medical condition. We are excited and proud to be able to make Michael’s wish come true.”
This is the third wish that Toyota Material Handling associates have granted to children. In 2017, the company sent 6-year-old Kaly and her family to Disney World. The team also completed a backyard makeover for 3-year-old Logan in 2018.
In February, Toyota associates were asked to raise $7,500 through different fundraisers. Toyota Material Handling North America has promised to match it with a $7,500 donation, amounting to $15,000. Bramlett said Toyota expects to surpass its goal through “Dollars for Denim” days, premier parking spot auctions and a company-wide cornhole tournament. Any additional funds raised will continue to support the family.
If associates raise $7,500, Wood has agreed to award the top three donors by doing chores for those individuals — such as mowing their grass, washing their car or taking them to dinner. The awards are still being determined.
Toyota is also hosting a charity golf scramble on Saturday, April 27 at Timbergate Golf Course to benefit Michael and Make-A-Wish. Admission is $75 per player.
Sponsorship’s for the event are also available at three different levels — 18 $100 hole sponsorship spots, four $250 contest sponsorship spots and one $500 grand prize sponsorship spot.
Michael and his family will be invited back to Toyota Material Handling’s facility on May 29 where he’ll be granted his wish through a big reveal and will serve as CEO for the day.
“Being kind and generous is a core value that Toyota associates have no problem embracing,” Bramlett said.
For more information about the golf scramble, contact Bramlett at shelley.bramlett@tmhna.com or 317 525-9833.
The Toyota Material Handling Charity Golf Scramble is Saturday, April 27 at Timbergate Golf Course, 151 St. Andrews Ave. in Edinburgh. Range and registration open at 7 a.m. The scramble begins at 8 a.m.
Registration is $75 per person and includes 18 holes of golf, a golf cart, raffle ticket for door prizes and lunch.
To register for Toyota Material Handling’s Charity Golf Scramble, contact Danielle Nickerson at danielle.nickerson@tiem.toyota-industries.com.
To sponsor a $500 or $100 hole, or donate a raffle item, contact Shelley Bramlett at shelley.bramlett@tmhna.com.
