New Lenox Firefighter's Son Gets Special Needs Met

One  got a boost that goes higher than the reach of the department's tallest ladder. Dan Malone and wife Michelle were gifted funds to buy their son the kind of special educational toys he needs to help overcome developmental delays and sensory complexities due to a rare chromosomal imbalance.

Having heard from a friend about a donation-based website called WishUponAHero.com, Michelle Malone investigated and posted a simple request for $200 to buy 3-year-old Collin the kind of toys that will keep his attention and allow him to work on coping with sensory motor difficulties.

"He has a very difficult time with textures," his father said.

Collin has a rare chromosomal imbalance that mimics autism along with developmental delays.     

Last week while Jill Pavel, national events director for WishUponAHero.com, was in Chicago for a downtown promotional event for the organization, she reviewed some the local requests. She came upon the humble request on behalf of Collin and had to meet the family, she said in an interview at Stationhouse No. 1 of the New Lenox Fire Protection District.

"I have a son with autism, so my heart went out them, and I granted that wish," she said.

The national website is the brainchild of Dave Girgenti, a marketing manager from New Jersey, who started the program to help gather wishes and generate donations to help families impacted by the tragedy of the that killed hundreds and brought down the World Trade Center in New York City.        

Eleven years later, the program dubbed WishUponAHero.com is a resource for families and individuals facing adversities from health crises to homelessness. It's a social "helping site" where anyone can post requests or "wishes," she said. Since 2007, when the organization expanded from its East Coast confines and went national, more than 93,000 wishes have been granted.

 "No wish is too large; no wish is too small."

They range from free physician services to assist low-income cancer patients to $63 for school supplies, according to Pavel. Their mantra is "No wish is too large; no which is too small."

"We support military veterans, families with pets that need medical care, homeless families," she said.

The website is set up to supervise donations as well as requests. "We're very careful" to guard against abuse on either side of the coin, she added. Claims of ill health or financial ruin are investigated; they have to be backed up with authentic proof.

A foundation has been established to help the organization select and fund donations, and a "Heroes" program was created so that benefactors can donate and respond to specific requests. The requests can be posted anonymously, but WishUponAHero.com requires identification. A full "100 percent" of donations collected are used to pay support wishes, said Pavel. The organization is funded by donations specifically designated for administration costs.

While in Chicago, Pavel promoted the program and launched several Chicago-based Response Teams to oversee wishes in this region of the country.

Malone, a New Lenox firefighter for seven years, said when he and his wife were invited to attend a ceremony in Chicago they were gifted with nearly double the request. Collin's twin brother, Evan, escaped the chromosomal abnormality. Their older sister, 7-year-old Tori, is also fortunate to have no handicaps.

Malone said when Collin was first born, "we didn't notice anything. At first, he was right along (developmentally) with his brother. Then he just stopped and Evan went on."

Collin was diagnosed when he was a year old. He's also acquired a lengthy list of food allergies. The special foods he requires are costly.

He got services from Easter Seals until he was three, then they stopped. Now he attends a special program at

The Malones agreed that WishUponAHero.com is a great example of outreach and service to others. Malone said he plans to participate in the organization's Oct. 28 Hero Run in Romeoville.

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