Make-A-Wish grants trip to Hawaii to local boy and family

Slater admires a balloon presented to him during a Wish Presentation party on Saturday. Photo by Donna Ritchie

Eight-year-old Slater Puckett will be visiting Hawaii with his family thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange Country and Inland Empire, an organization the grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.

Slater’s Wish Presentation party was held on Saturday at Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina in the Canyon Lake Towne Center. This location was chosen because it’s Slater’s “all-time favorite restaurant” and Michelle Ortiz is his “favorite waitress.” “He loves her,” said Slater’s mom Jessica.

Victor and Laura Demoreno, owners of Pepe’s, treated the family to dinner and presented Slater and his 12- year-old brother Seth with backpacks filled with items that will keep them occupied on their flight to Hawaii.

Canyon Lake resident Bob Burns, a Delta Airlines captain, heard about the presentation and stopped by in his uniform to show his support and say Aloha to Slater.

In addition to dinner, the family was treated to a Hawaiian dance performance, a Hawaiian-themed cake and a presentation of their trip to Hawaii.

The family flew to Hawaii on Wednesday and will be returning on Monday. Their stay includes swimming with dolphins, a luau and a visit to Kualoa Ranch in Ohau where Jurassic Park was filmed.

Slater has been diagnosed with epilepsy and quadriplegia spastic cerebral palsy, a disorder that affects his muscle coordination, balance and voluntary movement. Slater’s caseworker at Rady’s Children’s Hospital suggested the family to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. A trip to Hawaii was chosen because Slater responds well to water. “He loves water and sharks,” said Jessica.

“We are so grateful for what Make-A-Wish and Pepe’s have done for us,” said Jessica. “They went above and beyond anything we could imagine. There are not enough thank yous to express our gratitude.”