Dream Comes True For 18-Year-Old Battling Serious Illness

PORT RICHEY, FL — As 18-year-old Victor Voras went through grueling treatments after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, there was one thought that sustained him.

While nurses hovered around him during his chemotherapy sessions, Voras' mind would drift to thoughts of a perfect day spent bass fishing on a pristine lake surrounded by nature.

He didn't have to wait long for his daydream to become a reality.

On July 24, shortly after his final cancer treatment, Voras was surprised with his very own bass boat, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and City Electrical Supply branches, which raised the $8,000 to purchase the customized fishing boat from Tracker Boat Center in Tampa.

Joined by his family, Make-A-Wish Foundation staff and City Electric Supply employees, Voras was greeted with his new boat, christened "Chemosabe," decorated with banners and balloons. completed.

“The Make-A-Wish Foundation provided City Electric Supply with the opportunity to grant a wish for Victor in Tampa, and we wanted to make Victor’s wish come true," said City Electric Supply Regional Manager Mike Bertone. "He’s now able to go fishing whenever he wants thanks to CES customers, vendors and sponsors."

The bass fishing boat came with a trailer and a supply of fishing accessories.

“On behalf of everyone here at Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, we are incredibly grateful and extremely proud of our growing partnership with our friends at City Electric Supply and are excited to continue to work together to help make more wishes like Victor’s come true,” said Daniela Malo, Make-A-Wish Southern Florida associate director of philanthropy. “We can’t wait to hear all about his fishing adventures on his new boat.”

City Electric Supply’s recent partnership with Make-A-Wish was made possible by its social impact program, CES Cares.

“This is just the beginning. We will continue to do our part and help provide wishes for kids with critical illnesses,” said CES Cares Social Impact Manager Karen Gray.

Make-A-Wish Southern Florida has granted nearly 13,000 life-changing wishes since 1983 for children who have critical illnesses. It aims to grant a wish for every medically eligible child in its territory, which includes 22 counties in Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Southern Florida chapter’s territory includes 22 counties/four regions in the Tampa Bay area, on the Suncoast, and in southwest and southeast Florida. It also includes the U.S. Virgin Islands.

CES Cares is committed to undertaking local, national, and international issues such as homelessness, hunger, child abuse, child illness and disaster relief. In North Texas alone, where CES is headquartered, the company helps tackle homelessness and hunger.

Nationally and internationally, City Electric Supply’s partnership with the American Red Cross allows the company to provide natural disaster relief and emergency assistance, and its partnership with UNICEF allows the company to help combat hunger around the world. Since its inception in 2016, CES Cares has given over $10 million in charitable donations.

On Sept. 11, City Electric Supply will host a golf tournament to benefit Make-A-Wish at the Golf Club of Jupiter, 1800 S Central Blvd., Jupiter. Check-in is at 7:30 a.m. and tee time is 8:30 a.m.

There are still a few slots available. Click here to register or contact Bertone at 561-746-6603 or thomas.bertone@cityelectricsupply.com.

Residents can also support the foundation during the Dishes and Wishes Tampa 2021 on Oct. 15 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa.

Enjoy an open bars, live music, auctions and food from the Bay area’s finest restaurants.

For more information, visit dishesandwishestampa.com or contact Kelsey Makowski at 813-288-2600 or kmakowski@sfla.wish.org.