Make A Wish Foundation
We grant wishes to children with life threatening medical conditions
to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
3,992 magical wishes granted.
Jesse is a 17 year old boy who is crazy about the Toronto Maple Leafs! He knows the names of all the players and can recite the statistics (number of goals scored, shots on goal, penalties, etc.) for each one. His all time favourite is Mats Sundin.
It wasn’t a surprise to Jesse’s family then when he said that his one Wish was to watch a Leaf’s game and meet Mats Sundin.
On April 1, 2008, Jesse’s Wish came true when he and his mom, dad, and younger brother, Liam, arrived at the Air Canada Center. A wonderful arena staffer, Tanya, gave everyone a guided tour. The highlight of the tour for Jesse was the chance to watch the Zamboni at work and then to sit up on the Zamboni and learn from the operator just how it works. The smile on Jesse’s face as he sat up in the Zamboni seat lit up the arena!
Jesse watched the Leafs practice for their game that evening. As the players left the ice after practice, many of them waved to Jesse and said ‘hello’ to him. One thoughtful player presented Jesse with his autographed stick. You can imagine how thrilled Jesse was.
The Gardens Guide took everyone to wait outside the dressing room for the players to exit after practice. As they came out, the Guide introduced each player to Jesse and they all asked Jesse if he would like to have his picture taken with them. Of course, Jesse’s answer was YES! He then amazed everyone by reciting each player’s name from site, and every fact about their hockey careers-to-date.
But the absolute highlight of the wish day was in the underground parking garage, as Jesse and his family waited beside Mats Sundin’s car with the Air Canada Guide. Sundin appeared and spoke to Jesse. Jesse’s dad, who, like Sundin, is Swedish, spoke to the Toronto Captain in Swedish. MANY photos were taken of a smiling Jesse and his hero.
Jesse and his family then went for lunch at nearby Wayne Gretzky’s Restaurant and retired to their hotel room to rest up before the big game that evening. Even though the Maple Leafs lost that home game, the day was a complete success for Jesse, and an exciting adventure for his little brother and parents as well. This was a day that Jesse will never forget.
GO LEAFS GO!
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