Prescott Community Delivers Unforgettable Send-Off for Make-A-Wish Child Headed to Italy

Photo: Wish Kid, Christian, his family and Jason Jenkins, Findlay Subaru Prescott

Cheers erupted, engines revved, and a young boy stood frozen in disbelief.

What Christian thought was a routine trip to help his uncle shop for a car quickly became one of the most unforgettable moments of his life. As he stepped into Findlay Subaru Prescott, a crowd of supporters shouted, “Happy Wish Day!” a surprise celebration held entirely in his honor.

Photo:  Colton, brother; Jamie, Mom; Wish Kid Christian; Lori Padilla, Make-A-Wish Wish Granter; Pauly Meyers, Findlay Subaru Prescott

“You did this for me?” Christian asked, overwhelmed as the reality of the moment sank in.

Findlay Subaru Prescott sponsored the trip and hosted the Make-A-Wish send-off celebration for Christian and his family, who are soon embarking on his dream trip to Rome, Italy, a destination he chose to connect with his family’s Italian roots June 2^nd.

What followed was more than a party, it was a full community embrace.

The dealership filled with the sounds of laughter, celebration, and revving engines as Northern Arizona’s car community showed up in force. After hearing about Christian’s love for sports cars, dozens of performance, rally, overland, and custom-built vehicles lined the lot, transforming it into an impromptu showcase of horsepower and heart.

Photo: Wish Kid, Christian and family

For Christian, it was a dream come to life getting to see the cars up close and talking with the owners. He climbed into the passenger seats of a Corvette and an Audi R8, experiencing the thrill of the cars he loves, moments that lit up his face and left a lasting imprint on everyone watching.

The celebration and local support of love wasn’t complete without food and treats provided by local businesses and family: pizza and cannoli from Rosa’s, Culver’s frozen custard Scoops, and baked desserts from CrissyCakes, owned by Christian’s aunt, who also created a custom Italy-themed cake and cupcakes just for the occasion. Surrounded by family, friends, and complete strangers who quickly felt like both, Christian and his loved ones were visibly moved by the outpouring of support.

“It’s hard to put into words what this meant,” said Kara Hartman, Marketing Director for Findlay Subaru Prescott. “To see an entire community show up to celebrate one child and send him off with this much love – it’s incredibly powerful.”

Christian’s upcoming journey will take him through Rome and beyond, where he and his family will explore historic landmarks including the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, Venice, and the waters of Sardinia – a trip rooted in both discovery and family heritage.

But before the plane ever leaves the ground, one thing is certain:

Christian already experienced something extraordinary.

A community came together.
A dream was celebrated.
And one unforgettable “Wish Day” reminded everyone present of the power of showing up for each other.

About Make-A-Wish® Arizona 

Make-A-Wish Arizona grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and volunteers, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish brings the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. Founded in Arizona in 1980, Make-A-Wish Arizona has granted more than 8,500 wishes in the local community, contributing to the more than 650,000 wishes granted worldwide; with more than 4000,000 wishes in the U.S. and its territories alone. With 57 chapters nationwide, Make-A-Wish is the most trusted nonprofit operating locally across 50 states. For more information about Make-A-Wish Arizona, visit arizona.wish.org.

About Findlay Subaru Prescott:

Findlay Subaru Prescott is a premier Subaru retailer serving Northern Arizona who is more than just a car dealership. Committed to being a cornerstone of the Prescott community by providing exceptional customer service, a wide selection of new Subaru and quality pre-owned vehicles and dedicated to bringing meaningful contributions to local initiatives.