Kentavious Spivey was a recipient
By Mark H. Stowers
The Bolivar Bullet
Kentavious Spivey’s world got a bit brighter and more playful this past weekend. The teenager diagnosed with Leukemia was the recipient of Make A Wish Mississippi’s latest outing. The 14-year old was all set for what he thought was just a bowling date at Harmony Lanes when the outing became about his wish(es) instead.
Kristi Taylor, a Make A Wish Mississippi Wish-Granter for the past decade, helped put together the reveal party.
“A child gets nominated to get a wish and then the paperwork gets sent in to me or another Wish-Grantor. I go meet the family and meet the child and see what they want as their wish,” said Taylor.
With COVID, it’s a bit harder to keep the full surprise as Spivey had already been asked and made his Shopping Spree list.
“He knew he was getting his wish but didn’t know everything he was getting. We had the party that was a surprise to him and had the gifts wrapped up. He walked in thinking he was going bowling with his mama and some friends. He got to celebrate and the day was all about him,” Taylor said.
Spivey’s Wish was a Shopping Spree and the teen ended up with an abundance of Apple products, a 40-inch TV and much more.
“His favorite was the PS-5. He actually hugged it and cried. I cried and his momma cried,” Taylor said. “He was excited and it’s a day all about him and a day of celebrating life and just living.”
The party of ten at Harmony Bowling Alley included a cake donated by Jessica Ray and a painted bowling pin from Harmony.
“It was a fun day for him,” she said. “I’ve done this for eight or nine years and we’ve had a lot of children from the Delta nominated for this.”
To learn more about Make A Wish Foundation and how to nominate someone, go to Wish.org to get started.
“We also have a huge event coming up in November of 2022 at Harlow’s’ Casino in Greenville,” she said. “That’s where we get most of our money to fund wishes around here.”
Taylor noted the event is life changing for both the families and the attendees.
“It’s fun and it definitely puts life into perspective. When he received his PS-5, that’s all he wanted and to see him smile and cry at 14 years old that puts things back into perspective,” she said. “Be grateful for what you have and live each day at a time.”