APSP Chapter Grants Child’s Wish

The Georgia Chapter of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals pulled together to donate an aboveground pool to 3-year-old Caleb Mauro, who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Wilms Tumor. During his rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, the Atlanta-area child said he wanted to have a pool. After his parents contacted Make-A-Wish, the organization reached out to the Georgia Chapter. “As soon as we started talking, I knew this would be a great cause for our local industry to wrap its arms around,” said Chapter Vice President Mark Thompson. The organization earmarked $2,500, raised at its annual silent auction. Industry companies donated additional time, materials and cash totalling $18,571 to cover everything from tree removal to the first year’s worth of chemicals and, of course, the aboveground pool, which was chosen because of challenges from zoning, permitting and the surrounding landscape. Funds from this year’s silent auction, held in early October, will be used to fulfill another child’s wish.