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Jack’s Wish Story

Jack, 13, Portland
Wish: to have a green house

When Jack was recently hospitalized due to acute lymphoblastic leukemia, he was craving fresh fruits, vegetables, and anything organic. Jack wished for a greenhouse so he could grow his own strawberries, blueberries and oranges.

On a fall afternoon in Portland, 13-year-old Jack came home from school with a surprise of a 12 x 8 Sunshine Greenhouse in his backyard. This new hang-out was outfitted with shelving units, plants, seeds, gardening accessories, books and more. Jack’s family, friends and volunteers celebrated his wish-come-true with a special ribbon cutting and party, complete with pizza, cake and balloons.

Jack loves Japanese animation, video games, books on tape and his chocolate lab Emma. He also likes to cook, and his father Michael says that Jack “makes a mean omelet.” This 6th grader, whose favorite restaurant is Mother’s Bistro, enjoys fresh and organic food; his favorites include blueberries, strawberries, Caesar salad, tomatoes, mozzarella, pesto, rosemary and oranges. He chose a greenhouse as his wish not only to enjoy his own fresh fruits and vegetables, but to also have his own hang-out spot – a place where he can get away by himself. To accommodate this request, the Foundation added a futon couch, a desk and lamps to complete this greenhouse fort.

Farmington Gardens generously helped with this wish by providing the greenhouse and garden accessories “at cost.” In addition, the Margaret and Frank Bitar Foundation was an Adopt-A-Wish® partner for this wish with a $5,000 grant.