ST. LOUIS — Seven-year-old Asah learned he is going to meet his favorite character, Mickey Mouse, as he was surprised Tuesday with a trip to Disney World thanks to Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas.

What You Need To Know

  • He was greeted at the Make-A-Wish office in Ballwin with his family and staff who were wearing Mickey Mouse attire. Asah then played a scavenger hunt that revealed his wish

  • While hundreds of local organizations will benefit on GivingTuesday, the nonprofit that grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses aims to raise $50,000 for the Missouri and Kansas chapter, according to Brian Miller, vice president of marketing and communications

  • The Wesley House was another St. Louis area organization that received $20,000 on GivingTuesday thanks to Spectrum, which donated more than $90,000 across 10 local nonprofits

  • Tuesday’s donation to the Wesley House will be used to maintain and expand its technology initiative to include workforce readiness programs, according to Saunders Jr. 

He was greeted at the Make-A-Wish office in Ballwin with his family and staff who were wearing Mickey Mouse attire. Asah then played a scavenger hunt that revealed his wish.

“I wasn’t sure, with his condition, if we would ever have the opportunity to take him on trips and definitely to meet someone that he’s loved like Mickey Mouse, so we’re excited about that,” said Andrea See, Asah’s mom.

Asah was born without a left atrium and has had three open-heart surgeries, See explained.

“It’s been a long journey,” she said.

Asah expressed gratitude to everyone by signing thank you.

“I’m looking forward to spending time with my children that have only known the medical side of things (and) to have a carefree week,” See said.

The family will travel to Disney World in December.

While hundreds of local organizations will benefit on GivingTuesday, the nonprofit that grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses aims to raise $50,000 for the Missouri and Kansas chapter, according to Brian Miller, vice president of marketing and communications.

An anonymous donor has pledged to match dollar-for-dollar donations up to $25,000. Make-A-Wish is hoping communities throughout Missouri and Kansas will rally together to reach the goal so more wishes to children like Asah can be granted.

“We’re hoping that we can raise $50,000, which will help us grant five wishes,” Miller said.

There are more than 200 children in the St. Louis area who currently are waiting on a wish with a total of 600 children in the pipeline across the two-state region, according to Miller.

He said some children are wishing to go to Hawaii, while others desire to meet their favorite sports players such as Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and St. Louis Blues players.

“Their wish experience is truly as unique as that child’s imagination,” Miller said.

The matching support ends Tuesday, Nov. 28, at midnight. To make a donation, click here.

Supporting nonprofits on GivingTuesday this year could have a bigger impact than usual. Many nonprofits and industry groups say donations so far are down compared with previous years.

The Wesley House was another St. Louis area organization that received $20,000 on GivingTuesday thanks to Spectrum, which donated more than $90,000 across 10 local nonprofits.

After noticing a technology gap among students and senior citizens, the Wesley House started an initiative, according to John Saunders Jr., executive director.  

The nonprofit provided 40 tablets to children, hotspots for homes that did not have internet service and 20 tablets to senior citizens so they could stay in touch with friends and not become isolated.

Tuesday’s donation will be used to maintain and expand the initiative to include workforce readiness programs, according to Saunders Jr. 

“The purpose is to continue to incorporate technology into the lives of those who don’t have it,” he said.

 “We’re very appreciative of the relationship and the partnership we have with Spectrum.”

 Charter is the parent company of Spectrum News.