Walmart celebrated Levi Missildine, 14, of Slocum as one of their honorary truck drivers for the day through its Walmart Heart program Friday, July 19.
For his special day, Levi was given an official Walmart driver’s uniform to wear, a badge, a hat, his own collector’s Walmart truck and a ride in a Walmart truck.
Levi enjoyed a parade from the Walmart Warehouse in Tucker, complete with fire trucks, ambulances and law enforcement, to the Walmart store in Palestine.
Levi surrounded by this family during his special day.
“This is the highpoint of what we do,” said Lenny Hoag, a truck driver for Walmart. “We drive trucks everyday, but when we get to celebrate a child with special needs, I don’t know how to explain it, it just warms your heart.”
Once he made it to the store, Levi was welcomed with a red balloon arch and a crowd of Walmart employees holding signs to greet him and his family. He was then paraded through the store to an employee lounge where cake, cupcakes and water awaited him.
Levi was then given a gift back filled with “everything a trucker needs on the road,” including gloves, a blanket to stay warm and snacks put together by local Walmart truck drivers. He was also given a bag of gifts from store employees.
After the celebration concluded, Levi was given a shopping spree at the store.
Levi Missildine gives a thumbs up to those in attendance at his party.
Levi is the son of Ben and Lisa Missildine. On behalf of Levi and their family, Ben thanked Walmart for honoring Levi. He shared that both of Levi’s grandfathers drove trucks for Walmart and that they were all family by extension.
According to Lisa, during his shopping spree, Levi picked out an array of fun items including a water gun, a blow up kiddie pool, a life jacket, goggles, an interactive dinosaur that roars and lights up, a Cocomelon puppy that lights up and makes sounds, Play-Doh cutouts, a Bluey t-shirt, a big bouncy ball and some of his favorite snacks.
“It’s amazing to be able to give a child a dream and to experience the love and the friendship of a community coming together,” said Donna Hogan.
“It’s pure joy. Putting a smile on their face is the biggest reward.”
The Walmart Heart program, now utilized nationwide, was first established in Texas by a group of Walmart truck drivers.
In 2006, Jack Scott, then six-years-old, was undergoing testing for a medical condition. One of his test required him to stay awake for 24 hours prior to the test. His Aunt Penny, his adopted mother, made arrangements with an assistant manager to take him to Walmart, then a 24 hour facility, overnight to try and help him stay awake.
Walmart employees put together all kinds of riding toys for him to ride around the store, took him on a tour of the store and even showed him the trucks. Jack was enamored with the trucks and told everyone he ‘wanted to be a Walmart truck,’ which meant he wanted to be a Walmart truck driver. The store set up a truck ride for Jack as well.
Later that year, during a meeting of Walmart truck drivers who were discussing ways they could give back to the community, the story of Jack Scott was brought up and the Walmart Heart program was established to bring joy to sick and special needs children and adults, along with veterans throughout the nation.
For those that are curious, Jack Scott is still alive today.
Palestine Walmart hopes to conduct at least one Walmart Heart event a quarter. To nominate children or adults to be honored, contact Donna Hogan – Walmart 6836 at 903-538-4181 or by email at [email protected].
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