Logan Gonzalez with his Make-A-Wish sponsor Gary Rose of SouthWest Water Company[/caption]

Over Independence Day weekend, 5-year-old Logan Gonzalez of Pflugerville will be able to shake the hand of his favorite NASCAR driver, Danica Patrick, at Daytona International Speedway.

SouthWest Water Company and its Pflugerville subsidiary Windermere Utility Company partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America to grant Logan’s wish and surprised him with a Daytona itinerary and basket of car-themed toys on June 29.

Make-A-Wish is an Arizona-based nonprofit that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Logan is diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a type of rapidly-growing brain tumor most commonly seen in children, according to SouthWest and Make-A-Wish materials.

“There’s really not a better way to give back to the community than partnering with Make-A-Wish,” said Gary Rose, director of operations for SouthWest Water Company. “We are so happy to be helping Logan with his wish. It’s very gratifying to see both the children and the families [enjoying their surprise].”

(From left to right) Anthony Schiavo, Jennifer Schiavo, Logan Gonzalez, Lorien Gonzalez, Cari Borges, Samuel Borges.[/caption]

Anthony Schiavo of Pflugerville,  who volunteered through Make-a-Wish with his wife Jennifer Schiavo to facilitate Logan’s surprise, said the Daytona trip goes above and beyond Logan’s dream.

“His wish list was to meet Danica Patrick, that was it,” Schiavo said.  “The added bonus is [he and his family] get to go to Daytona.  They’re going to go to practice, qualifying, meet Danica at her motor home, take pictures and get autographs.”