(Video above: The entire Hoover community comes together to surprise A.J. Thompson)
Thanks to the generosity of Hoover high school students, six-year-old A.J. Thompson, born with a congenital heart defect, and his family will be going to the most magical place on earth later this month.
Hoover partnered with Make-A-Wish Alabama and McDonalds to raise $15,000 to help send the boy and his family on a trip to Disney World, all expenses paid.
Hoover brought A.J. and his family to the school as guests of honor at a pep rally for their baseball game against Vestavia Hills this week. A.J. thought he was going to be named an honorary member of the baseball team, but the Student Government Association announced that he would be going to Disney World too. Students dressed up as characters from his favorite movie, ‘Toy Story,’ and Ronald McDonald came out to celebrate with him.
The support from Hoover was overwhelming for A.J.’s mom, Gina. “I’m just amazed – everybody coming together just to make his day,” she told the Hoover Sun. “It was almost breathtaking. When you see this community that doesn’t even know you and all these people gathered around for your son that they don’t even know, it’s wonderful.”
A.J. was born with a congenital heart defect that leaves his heart “beating 90-to-nothing all the time,” according to his mom. He had two open-heart surgeries before he was one year old, and he’ll probably have another surgery later this year.
Inviting A.J. to a baseball pep rally was particularly significant for the family. A.J. played t-ball for two years before his cardiologist told him his heart couldn’t handle it anymore, so he was thrilled just to be an honorary member of the Hoover Bucs baseball team. The team gave A.J. his own Hoover Bucs jersey and hat, along with a Toy Story backpack, coloring books, and a Buzz Lightyear action figure. The Hoover Mayor’s office even gave A.J. a “Hoover challenge coin,” a special coin given to those who have overcome challenges or achieved noteworthy accomplishments in their lives.
The Bucs have been raising money for A.J. all year. They held a pre-game tailgate before the Vestavia-Hoover football playoff game, and sold “Sweet Home Hoover” shirts. Ticket and t-shirt sales from their Sadie Hawkins dance also went toward A.J.’s trip.
“I’m so excited,” SGA President Jordan Walters said. “We’re just privileged that we could all come together and help him and his family have a good time at Disney World. I think it was really an eye-opener for the student body.”
A.J. continues to enjoy life, despite his heart defect. “He’s come a long way. He’s done things they said he was never going to do. He’s just really beat the odds,” his mom said. “He’s a trooper.”
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