A Nanaimo boy and his family will be flying to a dream destination thanks to Vancouver Island’s Help Fill a Dream and Country Grocer.
Tyler Bartlett, 7, will take his second trip to the U.S., but for a happier reason than for his last journey south of the border.
In February 2016, Tyler was flown to Chicago for surgery, not available in Canada, to have a shunt installed in his liver to treat a rare condition called portal vein thrombosis.
Now Tyler and his parents Shawna and Greg Bartlett will wing their way to Disney World May 13 for a week of fun in Florida. The trip, which also happens to be close to Tyler’s birthday, May 8, was announced with a small celebration, cake and a WestJet ticket raffle draw at Country Grocer Chase River Wednesday (April 26).
“I don’t really know what to expect,” Tyler said. “I never even went there once.”
Country Grocer stores raise about $10,000 annually for Vancouver Island Help Fill a Dream, which relies on corporate campaigns, private donations and fundraising events to help children with life-threatening illnesses and their families on the Island and Gulf Islands with care and financial support.
“The WestJet ticket raffle alone raised $5,000,” said Craig Smith, Help Fill a Dream executive director.
To learn more about Help Fill a Dream, please visit www.helpfilladream.com.