Macie's Wish

In 2003, a young girl named Hope Stout made a wish that changed Make-A-Wish Central & Western North Carolina forever. At the time, the organization had 155 children waiting for their wishes but feared they could not be granted without raising the necessary vital funds. The chapter had been fighting to increase revenue but was struggling to find the best way to engage the community. It turns out, the chapter needed Hope.

Instead of wishing to go on a trip or meet her favorite celebrity, Hope wanted to grant all the wishes that were waiting. The community rallied around her wish and the donations began pouring in. Make-A-Wish and Hope planned a fundraising event appropriately named “The Celebration of Hope” for the beginning of 2004. Unfortunately Hope passed away before the event and before she could see her wish fulfilled. During the Celebration of Hope gala, the announcement was made that over $1 million had been raised. Hope’s wish became a reality.

Nearly a thousand individuals were part of Hope’s celebration in 2004 including John Speight. Over the past 16 years, John has felt called to support Make-A-Wish and continue what Hope set out to do: grant all the wishes. He spent years searching for the time, resources and opportunities to continue Hope’s legacy. Although he wasn’t sure how he could support the organization, one day the phone rang. Make-A-Wish needed his help, Macie needed his help.

Macie is a 4-year-old girl who was born with a heart disease and loves the color pink, playing with dolls, and being outside. When she was referred to Make-A-Wish, she knew exactly what she envisioned for her wish, she wanted a pink treehouse with unicorns. When John heard Macie’s wish, he knew it was the opportunity he had been waiting for.

John eagerly began drawing up blueprints, selecting the color palette, and preparing for Macie’s wish come true. He worked with his team to secure a vendor who donated the necessary lumber and connected with a colleague who created a custom unicorn themed bookshelf. Longtime Make-A-Wish volunteer Sherre’ DeMao also helped get local support from the North Carolina Women in Construction who painted and donated a unicorn mural. Everyone who heard about Macie’s wish wanted to be part of it.

Six months into the preparation of Macie’s treehouse, COVID-19 turned the world upside down. Production slowed as John and his team tried to remain socially distant; however, he was determined to make Macie’s wish come true as soon as possible. During the long, tireless nights painting, building and making Macie’s wish possible, John shared that Hope was always there with him. Although he was isolated due to the concern and limitations of COVID-19, he was never alone with Hope watching over him. She was the encouragement he needed to keep moving.

When Macie’s treehouse was finally ready for installation, it took three days to put together in the family’s backyard. John and his limited crew installed the deck, the pink cottage and swing-set underneath the tree’s canopy. On the day of the reveal, everyone who had been part of Macie’s wish gathered together to celebrate. Macie received a grand entrance of friends and family along with Make-A-Wish supporters, volunteers and donors cheering the whole way to her new treehouse. The first time Macie climbed the ladder and saw the inside of her treehouse with the custom unicorn mural she was speechless. She loved exploring her space, the balcony, flower boxes and all the fun toys that her volunteer wish granter surprised her with.

When asked what her favorite part of the treehouse was, Macie pointed up to the ceiling at the rainbow rafters that John had painstakingly made possible. John choked up at the fact that something he had spent so much time on was making such an impact on Macie.

Macie spent the rest of the afternoon playing with her friends inside the treehouse and enjoying her favorite pizza from Johnny Brusco’s. They didn’t want to leave and decided to have a slumber party the very first night making memories to cherish forever.