The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida is looking for fans to attend a local Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles basketball game to cheer on a child who is getting his wish to become a famous basketball player.
The local office of the Make-A-Wish Foundation serves Lee, Collier, Hendry, and Glades counties. Their mission is to fulfill the wishes of local children with life-threatening medical conditions. It is the people in our community that help make these wishes come true, and for a young man named Patrick, his wish will be fulfilled in December with the assistance of the FGCU Eagles and fans from the community.
Patrick, who is 9 years old, suffers from a seizure disorder and is unable to travel very far from home but desires to be a basketball star. Unable to speak, the word basketball is the only word he can now say clearly. With the help of the FGCU team members, coaches, and the community, he will get his wish. Now referred to as Captain P.J. by the FGCU Eagles, he will make his basketball debut as the honorary team captain at the Eagles vs. DePaul game on Dec. 22. Patrick will be presented with his official FGCU uniform No. 1 during halftime.
The game will be held at the Alico Arena at FGCU in Estero and fans are needed to cheer for Patrick from the stands.
“We want this child to feel the excitement of being a basketball superstar. We’re hoping the community will come out to greet Patrick as he arrives in his limo – we want to create a flurry of paparazzi with cameras flashing and people crowding to get his photo. We want Patrick to feel very special, very important and loved,” said Judith Yevick, West Coast Operations manager for the Southern Florida chapter. “This may seem like a simple wish for some, but for Patrick it is a dream-come-true. We hope that the community will help support this child and his wish.”
The Dec. 22 game begins at 7:05 and Captain P.J. fans are asked to arrive at 6 p.m. so they can gather and wait for his super star appearance. Wish children always travel in style and his limo will be arriving at the arena entrance at 6:20 p.m.
For information on purchasing tickets, contact the Alico Arena Box Office at (239) 590-7145 or visit the official Web site for FGCU Athletics at www.fgcuathletics.com .

Source: Make Wish Foundation