Duncan Aviation raises money for Make-A-Wish with annual car show

LINCOLN, Nebraska (KOLN) – Duncan Aviation may specialize in working on airplanes, but the main attractions on the tarmac this week were cars.

More than 100 of them attended the company’s seventh annual car show, which raises thousands of dollars each year through registration fees, T-shirt sales, raffles and more.

The entire amount will then be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“It’s a great cause for some great kids,” said Mark Cote of Duncan Aviation. “Kids who may not be as fortunate as the rest of us. We want to make sure we do everything we can to support them.”

All of the cars competed for a table full of prizes awarded by car enthusiasts at a local garage. However, the most significant prize is personally selected each year by a child nominated by Make-A-Wish. This year, it was 11-year-old Sawyer Roberts.

After spending an hour driving from car to car in a golf cart, he settled on his favorite car: a blue and white 1968 Rally Sport Camaro.

After Sawyer presented his award, it was time to hand it over to him.

“Today he will learn that he is going to Jurassic World in Florida,” Cote said.

Make-A-Wish granted his wish: a family trip to Universal Studios, where Sawyer, a dinosaur enthusiast, wants to visit the Jurassic World park.

“I expect a lot of laughter and smiles,” said Ben Roberts, Sawyer’s father. “I’m looking forward to it.”

This day alone was a gift for the entire Roberts family. Sawyer needs a kidney donation. His family says doctor’s appointments have become the norm, but health concerns are common.

That day, none of that mattered to them.

The medical issues and everything else we’re going through,” said Ben Roberts. “It’s been great to just be able to not think about anything for a while and enjoy time with family.”

Ben added that a match has been found: his own. He says he is currently undergoing the process to become the donor his son needs.

“We’re going to share more than just being father and son,” he said. “We’re actually going to switch some roles.”

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