East St. Louis preschooler gets a surprise Make-A-Wish Foundation trip to Disney World

Damon Ward Jr. sat in an assembly at Dr. Katie Harper Wright Elementary School in East St. Louis thinking his self-crafted mouse ears and Mickey Mouse shirt were part of a regular theme day at school.

Then, a look of confusion came across the preschooler’s face when his mother and older sisters walked in, followed by Sandra Spearman of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, who announced that he and his family are the recipients of an all-expense paid trip to Disney World.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation, who gifted the trip, works specifically to achieve a single wish of children who, like Ward, suffer from a critical illness. “Wishes” range anywhere from meeting Spiderman to seeing a favorite band.

“Some people want to meet certain celebrities, some people want to make their room look all special,” Spearman said. “Damon wanted all of it – and that’s fine! I wish we could give it all to him.”

Spearman said she and her colleague Vera Edwards cover the entire metro-east, but try to streamline the process for youth in East St. Louis, like Ward, who are often overlooked.

“They tend to get put on the waiting list more often,” Spearman said.

Ward’s entire family will accompany him on the trip, and his two sisters also received complimentary gift bags.

“There’s only one condition though,” Spearman said to a cheering crowd. “He has to take lots of pictures.”

This story was originally published October 24, 2023 at 8:00 AM.