Booth was 6 when he was diagnosed with leukemia. His family went into what they called "battle mode" — but between treatments, football became his escape. When Make-A-Wish Connecticut sent him to the Super Bowl, it gave his family something rare: time together that wasn't defined by the disease. Booth is cancer-free now. His father, Steve, is running 40 miles in a single day to raise $40,000 for the organization that made it happen.

Greenwich made its own gesture of thanks Sunday, when First Selectman Fred Camillo proclaimed the date Make-A-Wish Connecticut Day, marking the nonprofit's 40th anniversary and the more than 4,600 wishes it's granted statewide since 1986 — including for families right here in town.

Camillo's proclamation calls a wish "a powerful part of a child's medical journey," something that builds the emotional and physical strength kids need to fight a critical illness. Make-A-Wish Connecticut granted 282 wishes in 2024 alone.

Sunflowers for Wishes runs July 18-26 at Buttonwood Farm in Griswold, where owners Duane and Kim Button plant 14 acres — more than 300,000 sunflowers — with every dollar going to Make-A-Wish. Entry is $3, flowers are $3 each. A Trailblaze Challenge hike follows Sept. 19 on the Nipmuck Trail.

Details at ct.wish.org.