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FAIRFIELD

New camper fulfills stricken boy’s wish

Make-A-Wish Foundation donates to family

By Scott Monroe smonroe@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

FAIRFIELD — The white limousine backed down the driveway shortly after 4 p.m. Friday and stopped. Jordan Mathieu emerged, being held by his father, Michael, and they gazed at the surprise in their backyard.

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Jordan Mathieu, 3, inspects the inside of a new pop-up camper on Friday that was supplied by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine. Mathieu, who loves camping, is being treated for cancer.

Staff photo by Scott Monroe

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It was his wish come true: a brand-new pop-up camper.

For the next hour, Jordan, 3, bounced in and out of the camper along with his 6-year-old brother, Andrew, munching on dark chocolate that had been left on a table inside. A sticker on the camper’s front read “Jordan’s Travelin’ Wish.”

“Jordan! You want to sleep in that tonight?” asked his mother, Shelley.
“Yeah!” Jordan said.
The camper, adorned with blue balloons, was supplied by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine.

Sixteen months after he was born, Jordan was diagnosed with neauroblastoma, a type of cancer that forms in nerve tissue. He receives monthly antibody therapy, his family said.

The Mathieus said they love the outdoors and went camping in New Hampshire two weeks ago, using tents. Jordan specifically asked for a camper, said wish manager Melinda Ferrazza, who attended Friday’s camper unveiling.

The Palomino Pony camper came from Harvey RV of Bangor. One of the company’s technicians, Matt Hamor, volunteered to go on his day off to the Mathieus’ home to set up the camper.

Hamor did that Friday afternoon while a limousine brought the Mathieus to the Benton Family Fun Park, where Jordan spent an hour and a half on the go-karts. The white-and-green camper has an awning in the front, plus a stove and refrigerator. Cabela’s donated several camping items and supplies, including folding chairs, sleeping bags, lanterns and backpacks with Jordan’s and Andrew’s names on them. In addition, Palmyra Golf Course has donated a week of free camping to the Mathieus.

The family arrived with Michael’s and Shelley’s grandparents, while family friend Tina Stanley of Fairfield also stopped by.
“Those are the best gifts — the gifts from the heart,” Stanley said, “and Mike and Shelley are great people. They do a lot for their neighbors and friends.”

Michael and Shelley Mathieu said the camper will be put to good use soon. It’s been tough for the family since Jordan’s diagnosis, Shelley said, so camping excursions will provide a welcome reprieve.

“It’s so much more than we expected,” Shelley said. “It’s such a treat. It will be just awesome for Jordan and us as a family.”

Scott Monroe — 861-9239
smonroe@centralmaine.com