Despite his battle with leukemia, 6-year-old Summersville resident Eli French is all boy and loves the same types of things as other boys his age.
Like 18-wheel tractor-trailer rigs.
But on Wednesday of last week, Eli experienced something most boys don’t, as he became an honorary Walmart truck driver for a day and got to ride from Summersville to Houston in the “Walmart Heart” big rig.
Founded in 2006 by a group of Walmart truck drivers, Walmart Heart is designed to bring joy to sick and special needs children. The program’s inspiration comes from the story of Jack Scott, a boy in Palestine, Texas, who was required by doctors to stay awake all night prior to a medical test the next day.
Jack’s mother decided to take him to Walmart for the night, and the store manager hung out with him the whole time and let him test every big toy and ride every bicycle he desired. When asked what he would like to be when he grew up, Jack said he wanted to be a truck driver.
Walmart management in the area arranged for Jack to get a ride from New Brunswick, Texas, to Palestine and the concept of the program was born.
In addition to the truck ride, Walmart Heart honorees receive gifts and a shopping spree. Last week, Eli was allowed to spend $250 on whatever he wanted. When he was done, his shopping cart contained a high-end pellet gun (approved by his parents), a remote control truck and many other items most young boys would like to have.
Houston Walmart store manager Travis Rector smiles while watching Walmart Heart honoree Eli French try on riding gloves presented to him as a gift.
Eli’s big day marked the eighth time Walmart Heart had visited the Houston store. The program has several co-organizers, but its head man is veteran trucker Ken Nelson, who drove the rig carrying Eli. An accompanying convoy included five other Walmart trucks and several other vehicles containing family and friends, while an escort was provided by vehicles from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and City of Houston Fire Department and traffic control was provided by the Houston Police Department.
Nelson has been involved with Walmart Heart since 2010. He said the program honors about one kid per month, except during the holidays.
During its fledgling stage, people forming Walmart Heart were discussing what to name the program.
While enjoying a $250 shopping spree, Walmart Heart honoree Eli French takes a break with Optimus Prime.
“Someone said, ‘whatever it is, it needs to be from the heart,’” Nelson said. “Someone else said, ‘you just said it.’ It stuck.”
What’s the best thing about Walmart Heart?
“Lifting the spirits of the child,” Nelson said. “That’s our objective, to lift their spirits and let them and their families forget about their troubles for a little bit.”
Followed by a convoy of Walmart 18-wheelers and other vehicles, the Walmart Heart big rig transporting 6-year-old Eli French from his home town of Summersville heads west on Highway 17 on its way to Houston.
Eli French waves to the crowd from the cab of the Walmart Heart truck transporting him from Summersville to Houston for an event in his honor Wednesday.