Just a year ago, Warren Central high school student Jonele Robinson, 15, celebrated his birthday a day before heart surgery.

This year, he celebrated a very special birthday — not just because he was a year removed from that surgery, but because he had a wish come true.

Sunday, members of the Junior Auxiliary of Vicksburg, in partnership with Make-A-Wish Mississippi, held a parade in the Lake Forest community. They drove by Jonele’s home to make a dream of a new game room a reality.

With Junior Auxiliary of Vicksburg members passing by his home, Robinson stood along the street to accept warm birthday wishes and presents that would make any game room perfect.

JA members decorated their cars with signs saying “Game On” and “The Beat Goes On,” in reference to his surgery.

At the end of the parade, Make-A-Wish Mississippi Director Vera Johnson presented Robinson with a large game table and gaming chair. In addition to the gifts, the organizations provided the Robinsons with a family dinner from Billy’s and presented Robinson with his favorite candy — peanut M&Ms.

The reveal parade marked Make-A-Wish Mississippi’s first event since the pandemic began in mid-March. The organization is dedicated to granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.