Air Force SSGT Rob and Susan Dodson are typical military families. They are a very loving couple living on base at MacDill Air Force Base on a minimal income because Rob is a soldier. Susan is a dedicated mom and is taking care of her four children who have some serious health issues. Rob has done two tours to Iraq. So money for luxuries is limited.
The Auxiliary found out about this family through the Family Readiness Group at MacDill. Edna Ferman referred the Auxiliary to this family who needed a little extra help. Susan's wish was to have 24 hours alone with Rob. Between taking care of the children and Rob being deployed to Iraq, they have not had a lot of alone time.
The children's wish list was fairly typical. Bryce (4), who has vision problems, wanted a telescope. Grace, his twin who has hearing difficulties, wanted a camera. Nathaniel wanted a Thomas the Tank. Brenden (1-month-old surviving twin) of course. did not care.
The Belleview Biltmore very generously donated dinner at the Cabana Grill and Bar, a hotel night, and breakfast the next morning at the Palm Grill. Both Rob and Susan were thrilled; tears came to everyone's eyes as they jumped with joy upon seeing the gift certificate.
The Auxiliary purchased a 1-year pass to the Lowry Park Zoo for the family, as well as all of the toys the children asked for.
Auxiliary member Caron Gordon-Addis, (National Security Chairman), and Mary Ann Kearns, Auxiliary District President, met with the family at MacDill to present the Make a Wish items to this very deserving family.
This is the second big Make a Wish that Auxiliary Unit 252 has done. The first was to send a child who was losing his vision to attend music camp. He wanted to learn to play the bass before he lost his vision. The Auxiliary paid for him to go to music camp for a month this past summer.