A state boy recently got to fulfill a dream recently thanks to the generosity of a Cheshire business.
HAI Group, which deals in insurance and affordable housing services, adopted Xavier, a 12-year old afflicted with a life-threatening blood disorder, who traveled to the Brookfield Zoo in the Chicago suburb of Brookfield, Illinois, to fulfill his dream of becoming a zookeeper.
Xavier spent the day alongside many of Brookfield’s zookeepers, where he and his family received a behind the scenes tour of the zoo and were able to interact and feed the dolphins and penguins. He said his favorite experience was the time spent with the penguins, which are his favorite animal.
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“Xavier was so overwhelmed to be that close to the penguins that he was literally speechless most of the experience,” his mother said.
Xavier chose this wish as a result of his lifelong love of animals, especially penguins. In addition to his zookeeper responsibilities, over the five days there he and his family toured Chicago and visited the Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower).
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“We are happy to have established a wonderful relationship over the years with the team at Make-A-Wish. The children they sponsor have to deal with the challenges of significant medical issues that consume their lives," said Chief Marketing Officer Ed Malaspina. "Being able to provide some happiness by helping to make a wish come true is something we are proud to do.”
Malaspina also serves as the Chief Wish Granter for HAI Group, a role which he says is dear to his heart. Previous wishes supported by HAI Group include sending a boy and his family to a concert, sending a boy and his family to Walt Disney World, and sending another boy and his family to the Super Bowl.
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