Vermont Business Magazine Make-A-Wish Vermont reached new heights today as they celebrated their 900th wish with a little help from their friends at Beta Technologies and the Vermont Flight Academy (VFA). On Saturday, 17-year-old Wish Kid Dylan of Williston, who wished for the flight hours to earn his pilot’s license, clocked his first flight with a view of the Make-A-Wish Vermont office out his window.
On Saturday morning, Tom D’Urso, Executive Director of VFA, and Katie Clark, a founding member of Beta Technologies, greeted Dylan at the Make-A-Wish Vermont office to reveal that his wish was coming true and his Discovery Flight would be that day.
“It’s not every day that we get the opportunity to help make someone’s wish come true! We are honored to partner with Make-a-Wish and our friends at VFA to make this flight happen for Dylan,” said Katie Clark of BETA Technologies. “Inspiring new pilots and sharing our love of flight with the community is what BETA is all about. We’re super grateful to be here at the start of Dylan’s journey to becoming a pilot!”
Katie made sure that Dylan and his family and friends could participate in the wish today. She brought several pilots and aircraft with her, including a Stearman, Husky, and a helicopter. Dylan was the first to take off, followed by Beta’s fleet, which flew in formation above Shelburne and the Greater Burlington area.
Dylan has a fierce sense of adventure. As a Boy Scout, he earned his Aviation Merit Badge and elite status of Eagle Scout through a project benefitting Camp Ta-Kum-Ta. Dylan obtained his boater’s license at just twelve years old and later earned his Open Water Scuba Diver’s Certification. His goal to become certified by land, air, and sea was cut short after being diagnosed with a rare blood cancer. After a year of isolation and enduring a life-saving bone marrow transplant, Make-A-Wish Vermont is honored to help Dylan accomplish his goal.
"Today is a day none of us will soon forget," said Jamie Hathaway, President, and CEO of Make-A-Wish Vermont. "To see Dylan take off on his flight with the Make-A-Wish Vermont office in the background was pure magic. We are so grateful to the Vermont Flight Academy and Beta Technologies for making our 900th wish possible."
ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH VERMONT
Make-A-Wish Vermont creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. A wish is often the turning point in a child’s recovery. Since 1989, Make-A-Wish® Vermont has granted over 900 wishes.
Make-A-Wish® Vermont SHELBURNE, VT (6/7/22) – vermont.wish.org
