A Saskatoon high school student with Williams Syndrome got a surprise from Cervus Equipment Thursday, helping him achieve his life’s passion of lawn care expertise.
Warren Gillies, a student in Marion Graham Collegiate’s Transitional Functional Living Skills program, visits the John Deere dealership on a regular basis. He’d managed to save $640 dollars to pay for a STIHL BR 600 leaf blower.
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He and his classmates toured the dealership Thursday for what Gillies thought was field trip. That’s when Cervus Equipment staff told him he’d get the leaf blower for free.
“It made my day,” Gillies said. “I didn’t know what was going on because I came in here and I saw all these cameras around.”
The cameras were taking pictures of him trying on his new backpack-style leaf blower, along with a new jacket and hat.
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People with Williams Syndrome often experience medical issues like cardiovascular disease, developmental delays and learning disabilities.
But the rare genetic condition also fosters outgoing personalities and engaging social abilities.
“His passion for life and anything that interests him – it’s just endearing,” said his mother, Darla Janzen.
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At Marion Graham Collegiate, Gillies has found a community that cares, listens to him and helped arrange the surprise, Janzen said.
The school also connected him to a job with League Lawn Care, owned by Lance Roberts.
“He’s one of the best. He’s so passionate about what he does. He knows everything about the equipment,” Roberts said.
With $640 saved up and nothing to spend it on, Gillies is considering a gift for his mom or a matching leaf blower for his boss.
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