Florence teens grant wish of 5-year-old with Spinal Muscular Atrophy

FLORENCE- A legacy of giving came full circle in Florence Wednesday, as high school students came together to honor the legacy of a former assistant principal while making one child's dreams come true.

Members of West Florence High School's student government began a fundraising campaign on Dec. 1, to collect money to grant the wish of five-year-old Grace Dixon.

Representatives from the Make-A-Wish Foundation asked officials at the school if they would like to help grant the wish of Dixon, who suffers from Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

The condition causes progressive muscle degeneration and weakness.

Grace's mother, Robin, said she was very surprised when she found out that her child's wish would be granted through the generosity of other young people.

"It was very heartwarming and amazing," Robin Dixon said.

She said that she wasn't even aware of exactly what Grace's wish would be, but knew that the granting of the wish would help make her daughter's dreams come true.

"It was kind of surprising when Make-A-Wish came. We didn't know what her wish was and they took us outside and asked her questions and she told them that she wanted to meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and Goofy and Pluto. She named all of these characters and when they came out and told us, I was like, wow," she said.

The fundraising efforts were especially meaningful for the students who combined their efforts to honor the legacy of former West Florence High School Assistant Principal Hannah Sharper, who passed away on June 24, 2011.

"Mrs. Sharper, her gift was educating, she loved to educate us and she said to give back," said West Florence senior, Isiah Brown.

"She always told us that when we have any chance, to give back and volunteer our time," he said.

The faculty sponsor of the fundraising efforts, Janice Howard, said she was overwhelmed by the student and community support for young Grace and said that it was fitting that the students handed over the round-trip ticket to Disney World on what would have been Mrs. Sharper's birthday.

"I just felt overwhelmed about it, I'm still overwhelmed about it, I can't stop smiling," Howard said.

She said she was overjoyed at the efforts of the students, and later found out that a company planned to match all of the funds the students raised, in an effort to provide the same type of experience for a child in a similar situation.

"Yesterday I celebrated her (Sharper)'s birthday, and when I got the call saying they were going to match the money, I couldn't stop smiling since then," Howard said.

Grace's family said she will be having a memorable birthday celebration this year, and said she'll have the opportunity to meet all of her Disney friends on what may end up being one of the most memorable days of her life.