WESTFIELD—The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, along with Westfield firefighters and other volunteers are working to bring a 5-year-old’s wish true.
The group, which in addition to Make-A-Wish and Wesfield firefighters from local union 1111, was also made up of Woodard Electric, art teacher Alyson Smith, and are working together to build a dinosaur-themed play shed for Darren McQuade of Westfield. McQuade has Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy.
A photo of Darren McQuade, provided by his grandmother, Kim McNutt
According to Kim McNutt, McQuade’s grandmother and part-time caregiver, the family was given the opportunity have a wish fulfilled and decided that a play shed would be better than a trip for McQuade.
“We wanted something more long-term than a Disney trip,” she said. “He kept asking for a treehouse.”
However, due to McQuade’s condition, a treehouse would have become difficult to access as he got older. So, they decided on a play shed.
“The doctor said this is the best he will be,” McNutt said.
Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy is a progressive disease that will continue to impact McQuade’s physical abilities, including walking, up through his teenage years, according to McNutt. From the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s website, mda.org, Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy “is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. It is one of nine types of muscular dystrophy.”
“So we decided on this now so he can have something to enjoy now,” she said.
A group of Westfield firefighters work on the shed for Darren McQuade, 5, for Make-A-Wish
This project then, according to Peg Wheble, Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Regional Director, was one that needed help from others, and the community responded.
“We needed to reach out to the community in order to complete and fulfill his wish because it required some carpentry work and finishing inside the shed and decorating it,” Wheble said.
According to Wheble, she contacted the Westfield Fire Department and asked if any personnel could assist. She said that firefighter Joe Coach responded, and he not only volunteered but was able to gather several other firefighters with carpentry experience to help finish the structure.
“There’s more to the fire department than just responding to emergencies,” Coach said. “It’s a win-win for a lot of us because we love carpentry and we get to help a little boy.”
The firefighters came together to build a 10 foot by 16 foot structure that included insulation and a wheelchair ramp for accessibility. In addition, Coach said Woodard Electric came and wired the play shed for electricity.
The finishing touches on the building will then be done by art teacher Alyson Smith, who will be painting a dinosaur mural, per McQuade’s request.
Darren McQuade holds the piece of artwork he made for volunteers as a thank you
And as a thank you for their efforts, McQuade made his own art. He drew and painted a picture of firefighters putting out a burning home, and he said he will be giving them the artwork.
The play shed is expected to be revealed this weekend.
For more information on how you can help or volunteer for Make-A-Wish, visit http://massri.wish.org/ and click on “Ways to Help.”
