WestJet cabin crew manager Karl Dovick thought he was just one of a number of employees being filmed for a piece on the company’s partnership with Make-A-Wish Canada, but when he turned a corner at the airport to find Guelph families he has helped grant wishes for, he clued in that the film crew that had been following him around were doing a video celebrating his volunteer work.
“They told me they were interviewing different volunteers and I was like okay, sure. I believed them. Why wouldn’t I?” said Dovick. “They got me. They got me really good.”
The airline is a partner with Make-A-Wish Canada through its WestJet cares for Kids program and has played a role in fulfilling thousands of travel wishes to children with critical illnesses. Dovick said he noticed a number of Make-A-Wish children on board the flights he worked going to Orlando on their way to Disney World.
About three years ago, Dovick made the leap to volunteering with Make-A-Wish after a fellow WestJet employee and volunteer with the organization suggested he sign up. He took on the role of ‘volunteer wish granter’ for families in Guelph and surrounding area.
Dovick said the wishes help kids to change the channel from the routine of treatment associated with their illnesses.
“Anything to get their minds off of it and let them smile a little bit,” he said.
Press the play button on the video below to watch Karl's surprise:
Last week, WestJet posted a video to its social media in celebration of the work Dovick has done by surprising him with his Make-A-Wish families at Pearson International Airport.
Make-A-Wish recipient Lara Turner also stars in the video. She said it was a chance for her and the other Make-A-Wish kids to thank Karl for everything he has done for them.
“I feel like most people who do volunteer work like this don’t get the type of recognition that they deserve, so it’s nice that he’s finally getting all of the good karma that is coming his way,” said Turner.
At age 13, Turner was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, the same bone cancer that Terry Fox had.
“I had tons of chemotherapy — about a year’s worth. Then I had a 15-hour surgery to save my leg,” said Turner.
After more chemo, Turner’s cancer went into remission about a year later.
Her wish was to go on a vacation to Hawaii with her family. She said the trip was the light at the end of the tunnel for her treatment.
“I knew I wanted to get away and have some time with my family and forget about doctors’ appointments and everything,” she said.
Turner said Dovick and Make-A-Wish made her feel like royalty throughout the process.
When Dovick turned the corner at the airport, Turner made an announcement on the P.A. system and read a heartfelt speech, which is shown in the video.
“He surprised us at the airport for my wish, so it was definitely getting him back for it,” said Turner.
Dovick said it was quite the surprise.
“I tried to hold it in, then she started talking and I started crying and she started crying — and then the rest is a blur,” he said. “It was nice to see the smiles and everybody coming together. They are all like family to me now.”
Turner and Dovick promised each other that they would watch the WestJet video together and the day after it was released they had a viewing party to see it together for the first time.
“We both took an oath that we wouldn’t watch it until then, so it was nice to watch it together,” said Turner.
Dovick said WestJet, which is known for its heart-warming Christmas videos, is a company that practices what it preaches.
“I think WestJet has done an amazing job over the years,” said Dovick. “It’s about caring and giving to other people and give to the community.”
"Karl is one of 14,000 WestJetters and he is one individual who represents all of the WestJetters who go above and beyond when we know we have a Make-A-Wish family travelling with us,” said Jenifer Badry, team lead Community Investment and Sponsorship for WestJet. “It’s inherent to who WestJetters are to create these extraordinary experiences for these families when they are travelling with us — for good times and difficult times.”
Dovick said he hopes what most people take away from the video is the stories of the kids.
"If people got a little glimpse of who they are and what their stories are, I think that’s the most magical part,” said Dovick. They are the heroes. They have been through hell and back and I wouldn’t want to wish that on anybody, yet they keep smiling and keep positive. I think that’s a great lesson for everybody.”
