Oakland City children receive wishes | Community Spirit

Henry Mateus Gowen, age 7, and his sister Julie A. Gowen, age 8, both of Oakland City Indiana were chosen to receive wishes from the local nonprofit organization “Wish Upon A Star, Inc.”.  Both children suffer from Cerebral Palsy and several other life threatening conditions which have left them with limited mobility and other ongoing medical conditions.

Julie recently enjoyed her wish of a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida where she was able to meet all her favorite Disney characters.  The Gowen family left on Saturday, March 24 and returned from Disney on Friday March 30.  While in the Central Florida area they enjoyed attractions such as Universal Studios, Sea World and much more.

Mateus’ wish was to be able to enjoy outdoor activities with his family which is often difficult due to his limited mobility.  Thanks to Wish Upon A Star Mateus’ dreams are coming true.  On Monday, Wish Upon A Star presented Mateus and his family with a customized golf cart which will allow Mateus a means of mobility to join in family activities.  The presentation took place at Carts Gone Wild which is located at 2112 E Warrenton Rd in Haubstadt.

Julie & Mateus are the 225th and 226th children to be granted wishes by Wish Upon A Star, Inc.  This local organization was founded in 1985 by Carl Wallace and Carolyn Pfaffmann as a non-profit agency dedicated to making wishes come true for local children ages 3-18 years old that are facing a life-threatening or terminal illness. 

Wish Upon A Star is the ONLY locally based wish granting organization in the tri-state not affiliated with any national non-profit.  All funds are raised locally from the tri-state community and all wishes granted are done solely to children of the tri-state area between the ages of 3-18 who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal illness.  If you know of a child who might be in need of their services please contact the Wish Upon A Star office at 812-425-9474 or visit www.wishuponastarevansville.org.