NEWS

On Wednesday, April 29, representatives from Make-A-Wish Central & Western North Carolina, along with employees of MSC Industrial Supply Co., congregated on the lawn of MSC on Harbour Place Drive in Davidson to celebrate the granting of a local child’s heartfelt wish.

Sailor, a young girl with health issues that limit her mobility, was given her wish of a brand-new golf cart.

Martina McIsaac, President and CEO of MSC Industrial Supply Co., opened the event by welcoming guests to MSC’s Davidson campus. She expressed how excited everyone at MSC has been to plan and organize this event. “We are very proud to provide financial support and grateful for the time our team members have devoted to help make this wish come true for a very special member of our community,” said McIsaac.

Graig Harr is the Senior Director of Finance and Assistant Corporate Controller for MSC. He also volunteers his time to serve on the Board of Directors of Make-A-Wish Central & Western North Carolina (CWNC). CWNC is the regional charter of Make-A-Wish that covers 51 counties in the central and western parts of North Carolina. In 2025, Make-A-Wish CWNC granted nearly 400 wishes to children in their coverage area.

Harr told the crowd that after he had the opportunity to attend a live gift reveal for a local child a few years ago, he was convinced that he needed to get more involved with the organization.

Harr said that MSC and its employees are very enthusiastic fans of Make-A-Wish. MSC organizes several popular fundraisers every year for the cause. But he said that MSC had never done a live wish reveal on their property before. “I really wanted to make that happen here,” said Harr, “because there is nothing better than experiencing this kind of event happening for a local child.”

Alex Littrell, Director of Corporate Partnerships for Make-A-Wish CWNC, had the privilege of working alongside the MSC team and Sailor’s' family to help make the wish possible.

Littrell shared that one of the first things she learned about Sailor was that she loves the feeling of speed and movement. The family had owned a golf cart for years, and Sailor’s most joyful moments were spent zooming around the family’s property, laughing at every bump and jolt, feeling the wind on her face as she experienced the thrill of movement. According to Sailor’s mom, “Nothing made her laugh harder or smile brighter than riding around on her golf cart.” But recently, a tree had fallen on the family’s golf cart and destroyed it.

“Sailor’s wish was not extravagant. It was heartfelt and it was simple,” said Littrell. Sailor and her family wished for a replacement for the golf cart. “We are here to give that joy back to her today,” said Littrell.

Kathy Jetton, President & CEO of CWNC, shared that live, local events like Sailor’s are a great opportunity to educate the public on the remarkable health impacts of granting wishes to kids battling serious illnesses.

“While a small number of wishes do come at the end of a child’s life, a majority of the wishes that we grant actually help kids get through the toughest part of their treatment,” said Jetton. Wishes give kids a better chance to “go on to become successful high school students, professionals in the workforce, and even parents to their own children.” Physicians and other health professionals who have witnessed the effects of the wish granting process on young patients have compared the wishes to medicine.

“While a new diagnosis can be fearful, our goal is to give parents and kids something to look forward to, a distraction from all the scary conversations, and a bright memory during what is most likely the family’s toughest time, said Jetton.”

The crowd then gathered in rows to witness Sailor’s wish coming true, as a shiny new Club Car Golf Cart decorated with bright balloons drove up and parked right in front of the spot where Sailor and her family were positioned.

The new golf cart was provided by Bent Wrench Carts of Mooresville, an authorized Club Car dealership. Regina Smith, who was attending the event on behalf of Bent Wrench Carts, said that Club Cars are highly regarded for their safety and comfort, which was important in selecting the right model for Sailor. Smith added Sailor’s golf cart had been customized with a seat harness in a specific size, to give Sailor the ability to ride securely and comfortably even when going fast or riding over bumpy terrain. Smith said that everyone on the team from Bent Wrench was excited to be part of making this wish come true.

Before Sailor went for her first ride in the new golf cart, a spokesperson for Sailor and her family briefly thanked everyone involved. “On behalf of Sailor's family, a big thank you! Sailor is overwhelmed, but it is a good kind of overwhelmed. We are sure this new golf cart is going to get put to very good use!”

While Sailor is non-verbal, she is very expressive. It was clear to everyone who attended the event that Sailor was truly excited as she was buckled into her new golf cart to go for a test drive.

After the main event, as the guests and MSC employees started to wrap up, finishing their cold drinks and ice cream sandwiches, Sailor and her family could be seen some distance away on a large expanse of grass on the MSC property, still driving the new golf cart around and around in circles, enjoying the moment.

See the album of Lyn's photos here.