Make-A-Wish of Alabama granted one local child’s wish during the Kids Win Fishing Tournament Aug. 21 at The Wharf. The organization was also the beneficiary of the Kids Win Fishing Tournament and was presented with a check for $11,000.

Jack McIntosh is a four-year-old from Loxley who is battling a rare form of epilepsy known as malignant migrating partial seizures of infancy. This rare condition is a severe form of epilepsy that begins very early in life. Recurrent seizures begin before the age of six months but commonly start within a few weeks of birth. According to Medlineplus.gov, approximately 100 cases have been described in medical literature.

According to McIntosh’s father Preston McIntosh, he loves being outdoors, but traveling is difficult due to his medical equipment and wheelchair. That is the reason why he wished for a camper.

Thanks to Make-A-Wish of Alabama, Bama RV in Dothan and The Wharf, McIntosh’s wish was granted following the Kids Win Tournament weigh-in at The Wharf. The camper is a toy hauler that has a large ramp-door which makes it easy to load his wheelchair and medical equipment.

“We believe Jack needs to have a life just like any other child and this camper will give us the opportunity to take him camping and do stuff that me as a dad really gets to enjoy with my boy. It is going to give us a lot of family time,” Preston McInstosh said. “We are very grateful and appreciative of Bama RV, Make-A-Wish and The Wharf for doing this for us.”

McIntosh also participated in the Kids Win Fishing Tournament. The Wharf set him and his family up on the dock Friday evening. With a little help from his mom Jennifer McIntosh, he caught four fish.

Preston McIntosh said the family will keep their first trips local on the Gulf Coast to get the feel of it, but he definitely wants to take McIntosh traveling and go different places like South Florida.

Make-A-Wish Alabama was established in September 2012 and has granted over 1,000 wishes. Currently there are 250 Alabama children waiting on a wish. CEO Tracy Bennett Smith said COVID has changed things a little.

“Our kids are getting more creative about the kind of wish they have. We are about to do travel again but for the last year and a half, these children were having to pick different types of wishes.”

Smith said about 85% of the wishes they receive are to travel to Disney. Children with a travel wish were given the opportunity to choose a new wish or hold on their travel wish. Through the Wish Discovery process, the team talks to the children about their interests and help figure out what they want their wish to be. McIntosh’s wish for a camper is an example of a unique wish. They have also had one child wish for braces for her teeth and two wish for college tuition for a year.

The average cost of one wish is between $8,000 to $10,000 so fundraising and community events are essential. Each year, Make-A-Wish of Alabama hosts gala’s in Mobile, Birmingham and Huntsville and the Trailblaze Challenge which raises over $800,000 a year. Through a partnership with America’s Thrift Store, Make-A-Wish receives roughly 3 cents for every bag of unwanted items are donated.

“It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it equates to almost $1 million a year. If you are not able to donate $20 or $100, we encourage you to donate your unused items to America’s Thrift Store because that helps us grant wishes and weather through COVID. We are granting some incredible wishes even though we can’t go to Disney right now. Camper wishes, backyard playsets, greenhouses and shopping sprees,” Smith said.

Granting wishes is about more than a fun trip or experience.

“About 85% of our children go on and beat their situation. They either beat their cancer or respond better to treatment. We feel a wish is not just a nice thing. It is necessary for these children and for their medical treatment. The hope and joy we are able to bring because of people like y’all are the reason why these kids go on and conquer their situation,” Smith said during the check presentation.