Chance Austen had his wishes come true thanks to Walmart Heart and the generosity of eight Walmart truck drivers.

It’s not an everyday thing to have a high school band playing and Air Force JROTC members marching at the Bryant Walmart.  But October 7, 2015 was a different day, a special day. This day was an opportunity for Chance, who suffers from Muscular Dystrophy and Autism to be a superstar.  He was one of the youngest ever to receive a Commercial Driver’s License, even though it was just honorary.

Chance, a sixth grader, had an opportunity to wear a Walmart truck driver’s shirt and ride on a Walmart 18-wheeler from Benton to Bryant.  The convoy, consisting of eight Walmart 18-wheelers was led by a Saline County Sheriff’s Office patrol car, a Benton Police Department patrol car, several Bryant Police Department patrol cars, numerous special purpose vehicles from the Bryant PD and fire engines from both Bryant Fire Department and Benton Fire Department.

“This is something that Walmart truck drivers do for free on their own time,” said Blake Schowe, head of the Transportation Division for Walmart. Mr. Schowe stated, “We do it from the heart that is why it’s called Walmart Heart.”

A driver, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “If you ever go to one of these events and see how the children don’t have a care in the world, you realize how petty your problems are compared to the challenges that these children face every day.”  That driver continued, “You really understand why no one can pay you to provide for the happiness that you give to these children. No money can buy the smiles that they give you.”