Wednesday's Child — Wells


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SALT LAKE CITY — As many of us are getting ready to spend the holidays with our families, there are hundreds of children living in the Utah foster care system who won't get that chance. One of them is Wells. He’s a high school senior who loves basketball and has a smile that could light up any arena.

So, when the Jazz invited him to their pre-game warm-up, he couldn't pass up the opportunity.

Even surrounded by people, there's something missing for Wells—parents. Wells lives in foster care, "probably since I was nine or ten,” he said.

He could talk about some of the hard things associated with life in state custody, such as all the moving around he's done, but instead chooses to focus on the positive.

“I love making new friends,” he said. “I’m like the nicest person at my school I think.”

He made plenty of new friends courtside at the Jazz practice. Player after player, current and former, they all made their way over to visit with their fan. Wells loves basketball and the Jazz, but there is one thing he was most excited about.

“I like the Jazz bear in general,” Wells said to one of the players. “He’s funny.”

As the mascot finally made its way over, Wells jumped excitedly.

“Hey, what’s up buddy?,” he asked.

Bear picked up Wells and carried him to center court before signing his shirt and small basketball.

“Thank you,” Wells said with a smile.

As he returned to his seat, Wells asked everyone around him if they saw what happened.

It was a perfect ending to a fun night. Wells hopes the next time he comes to a Jazz game, he'll see the Jazz Bear again, but also get to share it with a family he can call his own.

If you would like to learn more about Wells and the many other Utah children looking for a family, contact The Adoption Exchange.

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Ashley Kewish

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