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Marisela Miranda, her two sons, Arturo and Adan and her parents enjoyed their trip to Kansas City, Missouri, where they got to see Patrick Mahomes II and the Kansas City Chiefs play at Arrowhead Stadium as part of the wish that was granted by Littlefield High School. (Submitted Photo) -
Arturo and Adan making there way into Arrowhead Stadead towhere see Patrick Mahomes II and the Kansas City Chiefs play. (Submitted Photo)
It all started with a desire to make a wish come true for a child with a critical illness, and the means to make it happen. According to Kim Moss, the advisor for the Littlefield High School Student Council, the organization had always contributed funds to the Make a Wish Foundation until the Covid-19 pandemic brought things to a screeching halt last year.
The group had worked hard all year to raise funds for Make A Wish, and decided to take over themselves and use the funds to grant wishes of children with a critical illness who live right here in Littlefield rather than send it away to the Make a Wish Foundation who had suspended the program due to the pandemic. Most of the funding is raised during the Wildcat Cake Auction, cheerleading camps, other fundraising activities through the school year, and donations.
Eight year old Arturo Miranda of Littlefield is the son of Marisela Miranda, who is employed by Newton Insurance of Littlefield. Arturo was born with a serious heart defect and was diagnosed a Down Syndrome child.
He had heart surgery at the age of 7 months and will be having another major surgery within two to three years. Arturo is a 3 rd grader at Littlefield Elementary. He is quite possibly the biggest, little fan of Patrick Mahomes in Texas.
He has an older brother, Adan, who is in the 5 th grade at Littlefield Elementary. He was also born with Down Syndrome and is also a big fan of the Chiefs’ star quarterback.
In April of 2020, Marisela received notification from Kim Moss that the boys had been selected to have their wish granted. On May12, 2020, the family was invited to attend an assembly in the Littlefield High School Gym where they enjoyed games that had been prepared for them. Afterward, the family was taken to the High School Library where they had refreshments and some gifts. The boys were going to see Patrick Mahomes play in Kansas City thanks to the hard work and generosity of Littlefield residents, the Littlefield High School Student Council, and the staff and students of Littlefield High School.
On Friday, September 4, 2020. Marisela, her parents, and the two young boys headed for Preston Smith International Airport for their first flight, and they were going to Kansas City! They met a group from San Angelo,Texas, while waiting for their flight who prayed over them before they boarded the plane. Marisela reported that the boys made a lot of new friends on the flight. She stated that since they are Catholic, the first thing they did when they landed was get a rental car and looked for a cathedral while sight seeing along the way. Then on to their hotel, where they got no sleep due to excitement.
On Saturday morning, they visited the Kansas City Zoo for several hours, and the boys loved seeing all of the animals. Afterwards, they drove to the Crown Center Square Fountain and the boys played in the water features there. They also visited Toy Time where the boys found a few toys to bring home...Marisela had to arrange to ship the toys home since they could not take them all on the plane. They did a little more sight seeing and then of course, Kansas City style barbecue.
Sunday, the family drove to Arrowhead Stadium early enough to be presented with their “first time” certificates from the stadium staff at the gate, pick up some souvenirs, and found their seats in time to watch the players warm up. Marisela and the boys found the fans to be very welcoming and seemed to want to ensure the boys had a great time. When asked if the boys were able to watch the game with all the things going on around them, Marisela said “they were into the game and had no problem spotting number 15. They loved the halftime show that featured a Mariachi band and dancers and wanted to “stay for more.” After the game, it was more barbeque and then rest for their early morning flight the next morning. Tuesday, the boys were still excited and had “lots to tell everyone.” Marisela wished to express “her appreciation to the great students, staff, and donors who came together to give her family wonderful, lifelong, memories that would not have been possible.