Meet Nicolas

Nicolas, also known as Nickle Pickle to those who know and love him, is a special and unique threeyear-old boy who is always ready for a new adventure. He has a vibrant personality that comes to life any time there’s music, dancing or light up toys. Nicolas is a happy boy who loves to laugh. He has the special gift of becoming your best friend as soon as you meet him.

Feeling the wind in his hair and sunshine on his face is difficult for Nicolas. Respiratory failure has forced him to spend most of his life in the hospital, dependent on breathing equipment and undergoing numerous surgeries. Nicolas’ mom has always wanted to take him to a playground to play with other kids, but the risk of infection is too high due to his medical condition. When thinking about his wish, it was clear that the most meaningful wish would be one that allowed Nicolas to enjoy being outside and play freely but protected from elements that can cause harm. So, Nicolas’ wish was to an outdoor play space of his very own was born!

A team of community partners from across the Valley came together to make this wish happen including the generous team at MartinHarris Construction. Nicolas’ new space takes him on a fun sensory adventure in the safety of his own home. With direct access to the space from his bedroom, Nicolas’ outdoor play area has a custom designed pergola to offer Nicolas shade while he plays, a fun wall panel filled with activities to provide sensory exploration, a mini trampoline, wind chimes, foam building blocks and more.

The community came together in a remarkable way to make Nicolas’ wish a reality, and now he has a space of his own where he can play, be safe, and feel joy.

“Nicolas now has a bright, functional, and safe area that lets him go outside and play,” said Sarah, Nicolas’ mom. “The transformation is just beautiful and magical. It will serve him for years to come.”

Martin Harris 25TH ANNIVERSARY PARTNER

When Martin-Harris Construction sponsors a wish, it is guaranteed to be engineered to perfection. The company granted numerous wishes for Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada, oftentimes lending their expertise to wishes where we would have otherwise been challenged to complete. The complexity of and planning involved in their wishes make their partnership invaluable to our organization and most importantly, to the wish kids who benefit from their knowhow. The company admirably encourages staff to get involved in making wishes come true. Thanks to their incredible team, wish kids like Nicolas were able to literally see their wishes being constructed.

For employees like Michele Gewerter, who has assisted with five different wishes during her time at the company, giving back to the community is an important mission in her life. “I have been very blessed working with Martin-Harris in my career,” she said. “Seeing the appreciation in the faces of these families is so heartwarming. Working with the families and getting to know the children is always a great honor.”