Make-A-Wish Foundation is top recipient of PEC’s United Charities donations
Wish Kid’s trip to meet the Astros made possible through donations like PEC’s
Each year, PEC employees donate thousands of dollars to hundreds of local nonprofits through the United Charities program. Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & South Texas is often a top recipient of these funds. In fact, over the past six years, PEC employees have donated nearly $80K to help grant wishes for children with chronic medical conditions, including cancer. This year, PEC United Charities donated $7,183 to Make-A-Wish — but employees only recently learned more about the power of their gifts.
In July, PEC received a thank-you letter from the nonprofit sharing a story of a little boy, Jacob, who dreamed of meeting the Houston Astros. He got that chance — thanks to generous donors like PEC employees.
Before his first birthday, Jacob was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive type of pediatric cancer. During his battle, Jacob developed a love for the Houston Astros, watching them play in the 2017 World Series. Jacob’s mom said he watched every game of the series intently, refusing to go to bed until each game was over. When it came time to choose his wish, Jacob knew exactly what he wanted to do.
On wish day, a limousine picked up Jacob and his mother, and took them to Minute Maid Park. There, he met up with his baseball heroes and got a private pitching lesson with coach Brent Strom and pitcher Justin Verlander.
Jacob got an all-star experience, and according to the letter, he brought as much joy to the team with his high fives and hugs as they did to Jacob. When the day was over, he left with a custom team jersey, signed baseballs, gloves, and a duffle bag full of goodies. It was a dream come true for Jacob and his family. And as his mother put it, “It was an experience that brought us closer together as a family, and at the end of a long and difficult journey.”
Jacob is now three-years-old and cancer free. Make-A-Wish of Central and South Texas says it will grant more than 300 wishes for local children like Jacob this year — wishes made possible thanks to small acts of selflessness.
PEC’s United Charities raised more than $250K for 222 local charities this year, with staff donating $150,331 and a cooperative contribution of $100K.