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05/12/2015 04:00 PMDespite being born with an underdeveloped heart and enduring a two open heart surgeries, three year-old Chaz DiLeonardo, Jr., is a happy, active little guy who absolutely loves Mickey Mouse and all things Disney.
Recently, the DiLeonardo family celebrated some very exciting news. Thanks to Make-A-Wish Foundation, Chaz Jr., big sister Bella (age 7), mom Erica and dad Chaz will share in Chaz, Jr.’s “wish granted”—a seven-night trip to Florida’s Disneyworld this month.
“It means a lot because of everything we’ve been through,” said his mom. “He was born with half a heart and [in June] he’s having his third open heart surgery. He had one when he was born and another at four months old. He’s been in and out of hospitals most of his life.”
One of Chaz, Jr.’s doctors nominated the youngster as a Make-A-Wish recipient. Wish-granters Stephanie Jarvis of Branford and Shelissa Newball of New Haven volunteered to organize Chaz, Jr.’s surprise and quickly discovered his “heartfelt” wish, said Jarvis.
DiLeonardo said her son is extremely happy with his granted wish.
“He’s never been to Disney. He’s so excited,” she said. “If we ask him ‘Where are you going?’ even when we’re really meaning ‘school,’ he says, ‘Disneyworld!’”
The extended DiLeonardo family enjoyed a Disney-themed delivery party (where wish-granters shared details of the wish granted) at Marco’s Pizzeria and Restaurant in Branford on April 27. The business donated the dinner—and pizza happens to be Chaz, Jr.’s favorite food.
“When I was planning this delivery party, my husband and I are frequent flyers here, so this was my first stop,” said Jarvis, who asked Marco’s owner Tom Andrews if he would like to get involved.
“Tom was the best—he went above and beyond,” said Jarvis. “He was kind enough to say, ‘Whatever you need, what a great foundation Make-A-Wish is.’ He’s right. This is an awesome thing for us to be able to do. We get to know the families and we get to present them with whatever is the child’s heartfelt wish. We’re very lucky.”
Non-profit Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions. For more information visit www.wish.org.