9-year-old boy gets boat thanks to Make-A-Wish Foundation

Reporter: Andrea Guerrero Writer: Drew Hill
Published: Updated:
karsen winters
Credit: WINK News

A 9-year-old boy has his own pontoon boat thanks to the Make-A-Wish foundation. Karsen Winters visits Bass Pro Shops in Fort Myers once a week but this week’s visit was that much more special.

For Karsen, getting out on the water doesn’t only mean reeling in fish but also making memories that he and his family can cherish.

“Fishing is one of the things we do most as a family, that’s very important to us,” said Karsen’s mom, Kristina.

Karsen has been battling cancer since August. He didn’t expect this gift but now the young captain can hook all of his catches from aboard his new boat.

“For us to be able to do this with him instead of having him stay indoors, now he can sit on the boat; it’s very special to us,” Kristina said.

“It’s really meaningful anytime we can grant a wish, but when you see a child who is in active treatment and has a true heartfelt wish to get outside and get outdoors and enjoy the outside and enjoy it with family,” said Richard Kelly, chief operating officer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The foundation has postponed granting most wishes since the start of the pandemic so this is a special gift.

“The smile on a child’s face or the tears coming from a mom is why we do what we do, why we work so hard to grant these wishes, even during a time like this,” Kelly said.

As this mom sees her son’s most heartfelt wish come true, she knows it will bring some light to the dark moments the Winters are fighting through.

“We are so grateful for Make-A-Wish, thank you so much,” Kristina said. “It just makes me so proud, it really does. This whole process has made me so proud of him.”

Bass Pro Shops also gave Karsen a new fishing pole and a gift card to buy everything he needs for his fishing trips.

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