Dave Senske had logged 1,889 miles of what he predicted would be a nearly 2,300 mile trip from Mississippi to the U.P. on behalf of the Make a Wish foundation, when he stopped by The Leader office last Wednesday. Photo by Heidi Berden

Senske was headed home to the U.P. after putting 1,889 miles on his bike during the ride from Gulfport in southern Mississippi. He began his trip on Saturday, June 16, at 8 a.m.

Senske, who spends his winters working in southern Mississippi to help rebuild the area after Hurricane Katrina, was touched by a personal encounter.

"I insulated a house and met a little girl who was in the program," he said. "Her wish was that she wanted her room back. She got it."

The bike trip is part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation's first national campaign to grant the wishes of the 100,000 children who will be diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions during the next four years.

Dubbed "Destination Joy," the campaign is presented by LAY'S.

Senske's employer, Clay Easterling of Easterling Insulation, asked people who see Dave riding to call his business and tell them how he's driving. A sign on Dave's trailer reads:

"Where's Dave? Call and let Ôem know: 228- 864-6012."

For every call, Easterling is making a contribution to the Make- A-Wish Foundation. The total amount of the money he has raised as a result of calls will not be known until Senske's trip is finished, according to Make-A-Wish officials. Easterling had not returned a call from The Leader but his staff logged the call for the fundraiser.

Senske plans to arrive in Marquette on Friday, July 27, weather permitting.

The trip was sponsored by, Manitowoc Marine in Wisconsin, Doney Construction of Neguanee, Fence Lake Construction of Humbolt, Bernie's Auto (Dave's brother) of Champion, and Woodmeadow Farms (Dave's parents) of Kalkaska and his employer, Clay Easterling of Easterling Insulation.

"They make this possible," he said.

Senske said that the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina com- pounded an already depressed economy in Mississippi.

"It's a mess down there," he said. "Their economic situation is statewide. Thirty-five percent of all high school freshman are expecting their first child and 16 percent of all (high school) seniors - those who make it that far - are expecting their second child.

"Of the 3.75 million people living there, one million are receiving some type of welfare and the minimum wage still is $5.35," he said. Senske said he installs insulation, septic systems, and does roofing.

"I do it all, except cement and paving," he said. "I'm putting on a roof at my parents' place during the next few days."

For more information, visit the Web site's Destination Joy home page at www.wish.org to learn the seven ways you can help share the power of wish.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi is a non-profit organization that grants wishes to children who suffer from life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

To date, the Mississippi chapter has granted more than 1,000 wishes for Mississippi children since the chapter began in 1984.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi is part of the Make- A-Wish Foundation of America, the country's largest wish-granting organization.