Flagler Sheriff Appoints 8-Year-Old Deputy
Phillip wants to be a police officer so he can “catch the bad guys and eat doughnuts.” Kids Wish Network, a children’s charity that grants wishes for kids with life-threatening illnesses, teamed up with Dunkin’ Donuts and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) to make this hopeful future deputy’s dreams come true.
It started like any other day. Phillip thought he was playing dress-up putting on his new police costume. Instead, he was unknowingly going to Dunkin’ Donuts for a big surprise!
FCSO Sheriff Rick Staly greeted Phillip and his grandma at the donut shop with exciting news. First, he made Phillip an honorary deputy and gifted him an official FCSO uniform shirt. Dunkin Donuts sweetened his big day. He had fun decorating his own donuts with frostings and toppings. Then, Dunkin Donuts gave their biggest donut fan a year’s worth of free donuts. And the best was still to come.
When Phillip opened up a special box of donuts, it contained a magical message from Kids Wish Network, revealing that they were granting his wish, sending him to Disney World!
Phillip has cerebral palsy. He had a stroke at birth, causing developmental delays and many challenges. He’s undergone surgery on his right foot and continues to receive occupational and physical therapies.
“Phillip struggles so hard in school, and I want to see him happy,” said his grandma Cynthia who is raising Phillip and his three siblings on her own. “He’s always asking when we can go to Disney World.”
His dream coming true will be an extraordinary dose of happiness for everyone as they share a magical time of family togetherness. “I’m so happy,” said Phillip’s grandma. “I want to have experiences with my grandbabies, and it’s something he’ll have for a lifetime that I got to share with him.”
“I couldn’t have had a better role model for Phillip than Sheriff Rick Staly,” said Kids Wish Network Executive Director Tam Lai. “His genuine love for his community shows, taking time out of his busy schedule to personally become involved in making Phillip’s wish so special.”
See the rest of Phillip’s wish here.
Anyone can become a wish granter and help provide memorable connections and opportunities. Medical professionals, family members, and others can also refer kids to receive hope-infusing wishes.
Visit www.kidswishnetwork.org to learn about the different programs.
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Kids 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, including Hero of the Month, Project Toy Drop, Holiday of Hope Gift Banks, and A Child Forever Funeral Assistance.
