MARYSVILLE Dealing with a long illness, a wet, watery wish came true Jan. 12 for a seven-year-old city resident.
With a little help from the Make-A-Wish Foundation and as things turned out, from the city fire department Jacob Irish became the 300th child to receive a hot tub through a partnership of manufacturer Marquis Spa and the Make-A-Wish group.
A hot-tub might seem like an odd wish for a seven-year-old, but Jacob loves it, according to father Steve Irish.
He loves being in the water, especially warm water, said Make-A-Wish Foundation Wish Coordinator Jessie Elenbaas. He finds peace just sitting in the hot tub, so that is why this was a wonderful wish for him.
Steve Irish said his back yard was filled with about 15 or 20 kids the day the hot tub arrived. Marysville firefighters stopped by to fill up the spa and according to Irish, allow some of those 15 to 20 kids to play with hoses and turn a few knobs on the fire truck.
It was a great day, Irish said.
The only reported glitch in the festivities was the temperature of the water. The spa takes some time to heat up, Irish said, so Jacob couldnt spend as much time in it as he might have liked right off the bat. According to dad, the younger Irish has made up for that lost time since then.
He was all over the place in it, Irish said. He loves it. Weve been out there every day.
Irish said Jacob was born with a rare genetic disorder that affects his bones and joints. When Jacob was only about a year and a half old, the Irish family spent over a year in North Carolina so that Jacob could undergo highly specialized treatment at Duke University. While basically a bone marrow transplant, Irish said the procedure also involved stem cells.
In a press release, Marquis Spas President John Schrenk said hes found giving away spas through the Make-A-Wish Foundation very rewarding.
The thought of making a difference in the lives of 300 children is almost emotionally overwhelming, Schrenk said.
The national companys donations have totaled about $1.6 million.
Jacobs wish was granted compliments of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Alaska, Montana, Northern Idaho and Washington, with help from Marquis and Marquis dealer Aqua Recs Swimmin Hole & Fireplace Shop in Tacoma.
Weve helped with several wishes here at Aqua Rec, said General Manager Chris Kovacs. Our entire team enjoys the emotional reward, the emotional kick we get out of the involvement with these kids.