ST LOUIS,Mo. (June2021): Nathan’s family has always known how special he is, and now he’s officially been proclaimed a Hero. In front of family, friends, and the first responders and staff of the Fenton Fire Protection District, Kids Wish Network surprised Nathan, announcing that he’s their Hero of the Year! This prestigious award also included a super-sized check for $5,000.“We had so many deserving children with compelling stories, they all touched our hearts. However, this one was a standout,” said Kids Wish Network’s Wish Department Manager Tambra Fulk. Nathan and his dad were enjoying a beautiful weekend together hiking in Lone Elk Park. His dad suddenly became ill and was unknowingly having a heart attack. Amid all the chaos, Nathan remained composed and took immediate action calling 911, giving all the necessary details including their exact location. Within a minute of the first responders arriving, his father coded. They were able to revive his dad, and he survived.“ If Nathan wasn’t there, these guys (first responders) would never have been able to find me,” said his dad Craig.This exceptional 13-year-old plans on using part of his reward to buy sports gear, with the rest going into savings for a future car. Nathan was previously recognized as a Hero of the Month in Kid Wish Network’s Hero program and later selected from extraordinary nominees honored over the past year. These Heroes are recognized for their positivity and ability to overcome adversities by inspiring others

About Kids Wish NetworkKids Wish Network has been making dreams come true for children since 1997. We are dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children experiencing life-altering situations. We started with the single purpose of granting wishes to children suffering from life-threatening conditions but have since created additional programs to benefit kids nationwide, includingHero of the Month, Project Toy Drop, Holiday of Hope Gift Banks, and A Child Forever FuneralAssistance.Learn more athttps://www.kidswishnetwork.org.