Thanks to the efforts of Harlan Wal-Mart employees, 3-year-old Benjamin Pruitt will be making a trip to Dollywood.

On Wednesday, Pruitt was the guest of honor at his wish celebration at the Wal-Mart in Harlan.

Employees hosted potluck dinners, organized jeans days and raffled four-wheeler rides in order to raise $5,000. The fund-raising campaign was part of the Make-A-Wish foundation that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Pruitt suffers from a germ cell tumor.

Chasity Coldiron, an invoice clerk at Wal-Mart, has taken on the role of director of Wal-Mart's Make-A-Wish efforts.

"I've kind of got attached to him," she said of Pruitt. "He comes in everyday and we play in the toys section. He's also attached to one of the assistant managers, Ross Everage. He's a good boy."

Pruitt was carried into the store by Everage, and he and Coldiron helped Pruitt open his gifts. He also enjoyed pizza and cake at his celebration.

Everage said that there are many people to thank for their efforts in making Pruitt's wish come true.

"I just can't thank Wal-Mart enough for making my son's wish come true," said Jonathan Pruitt, Benjamin's father.

This is the second time this year that employees at the Harlan Wal-Mart have raised enough money to do this for a child in the community. The first time, Make-A-Wish sent a boy to Disney World.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Kentucky has fulfilled the individual wishes of 65 children in the state with life-threatening conditions in the foundation's fiscal year 2003-2004.

Make-A-Wish still has over 50 pending wishes and it is easy to help.

Those interested can help by giving monetary contributions, donating frequent flyer miles or adopting a wish. More information can be found at www.makeawishky.org.