Colton's wish to be a chef

Sometimes it improves the child’s medical condition. And sometimes…just sometimes a wish serves as a compass for direction in that child’s future. That’s what happened with wish kid Colton.  

What started as a wish to cook with chefs in the Greek Isles has turned into a passion greater than anyone could’ve imagined. 

Back in 2014, after Colton’s brain cancer diagnosis, his social worker at Arkansas Children’s Hospital referred him for a wish. Colton, then 12-years-old, didn’t know at first exactly what to wish for. But he loved food. And he wanted to visit Greece. Combining his passions, he wished for Greek cooking classes. 

The wish, as anyone might imagine, was magical. “There were so many amazing things that happened on the trip. Things you couldn’t even plan,” said Colton’s mom Tabitha. “He was just smiling constantly. It truly was incredible.” 

From cooking with a variety of different local chef’s, to exploring the Greek Isles, Colton truly had a transformative wish experience. So impactful, in fact, he knew he wanted to give back. 

Now nearly five years after his wish, Colton is healthy and strong and cooking up wishes for more Central Arkansas kids. Colton works at Vault restaurant where his baklava, a traditional Greek dessert, is on the menu every night. All proceeds of the dessert go to Make-A-Wish and a recent benefit dinner at Vault raised enough to grant nearly two wishes for kids in the area. 

“I’ll just help out any way I can because when I went on that trip, it was one way to get out of the sickness that you’re dealing with at that moment and it was just really helpful for me,” said Colton. 

It’s kids like Colton who shine a light far beyond themselves- into the lives of so many that surround them. This World Wish Day, we celebrate that wishes help kids gain confidence and strength, equipping and sometimes inspiring their future.   

Every 36 hours, a wish becomes reality for a child here in the Mid-South. And with every wish, it’s amazing people like you who make it happen. Where there’s a wish, we know there’s always a way. Give today at midsouth.wish.org and join the caring community of Make-A-Wish.