Donald’s Wish Feeds His Passion for Baking, Chef’s Kiss!

Waynesville, Missouri – “My passion is baking, I love it with all my heart!” exclaimed Donald, who already knows he wants to be a baker when he grows up. Baking brings him happiness, comfort, and a sense of purpose. It’s also a special time of connection and peace when he’s in the kitchen with his mom. Donald has already mastered a variety of sweet and savory goods, and he’s now looking forward to expanding his culinary skills by making sourdough bread from scratch. He has big dreams for the upcoming year, hoping he and his mom can open their very own micro bakery.

A big surprise was waiting for Donald when he got home from school. Large, colorfully wrapped presents covered nearly the whole dining room table, and they were a feast for his eyes. The first gift he opened was a cookbook, and it immediately captivated his culinary imagination. His eyes widened and his mouth gaped open. “One hundred and fifty recipes!” he said, thumbing through the pages with an enchanted smile.

And it was only the beginning.

One by one, Donald unwrapped each gift and lit up in awe: a cake decorating kit, an assortment of spatulas, a full bakeware set, a sourdough bread baking kit, an apron and chef’s hat, and a gorgeous KitchenAid mixer. It was even red, his favorite color. “Oh he’s so happy!” said his mom Leslie, after Donald ran over and hugged her, overflowing with joy. “Momma doesn’t even have a KitchenAid mixer,” she joked. “This is the cream of the crop when it comes to mixers, it’s beautiful!”

Donald gushed, “Thank you SO much!!!” Then he found out Kids Wish Network was also giving him a generous Walmart gift card to shop for ingredients or even more tools of the trade to level up his skills. He tilted his head back, held his hands over his heart, and had the sweetest smile, reflecting his pure elation. Donald’s wish is the ultimate recipe for his ongoing happiness, chef’s kiss!

Baking is such an important part of Donald’s life, giving him an activity he can fully immerse himself in. He has Chiari malformation, where brain tissue extends into the spinal canal and restricts him from various physical activities. Years of his childhood have also been affected by a rare brain tumor called hypothalamic hamartoma, bringing on significant changes to his personality and lifestyle. His tumor still remains, but a laser surgery decreased its size and disconnected it from his hypothalamus and optic nerve. It thankfully made Donald feel like himself again.

Many Thanks

Kids Wish Network could not have provided this wish to Donald without the help of the many supporters who believe in making wishes come true for kids who need hope.