“Everybody has really climbed on-board this, and is helping out,” said Sawyer Motors’ sales manager Ray Tucker when speaking about the dealership’s efforts to raise $20,000 to help grant the wish of a local youngster, and others like him suffering from life-threatening illnesses.
Working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Sawyer Motors has taken on the task of trying to raise money to send 10-year-old Dakoda and his family [last name withheld] to Disney World, where the youngster would get his wish to meet Captain Jack Sparrow.
The proceeds from Sawyer Motors’ annual car show, July 8 this year, will go toward the fundraising effort.
A number of local businesses have also taken up a challenge issued by Sawyer Motors to help raise funds, Tucker said.
In May, the Main Street Restaurant, Dutch Ale House, and Mirabella took part in Star Wars and raised a total of $1,500. This month, Village Pizza, Stella’s Station, and Sawyer Savings Bank along with McDonalds will be vying to see which business can raise the most money for Make-A-Wish. Main Street Restaurant, the Dutch, Mirabella, Village Pizza, Stella’s, and Sawyer Motors are also sponsors of the car show.
“We don’t just want to make Dakoda’s wish come true, we want to help other area youngsters as well,” Tucker said. “We live in a great community, and people are really stepping up to help raise the money.”
Even local teens are helping out. Saugerties High School sophomore and track standout Shannon Averill, daughter of the high school principal, donated money raised at her 16th birthday to the Make-A-Wish effort and Morgan Finch Fund, which goes to a local youngster suffering from Leukemia.
“This is really tremendous,” Tucker said. “The Saugerties community just really comes together to help out those in need.”
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