Christmas 4 July
By McKenna Worsham
Photo of July Dotson opening gifts, provided by Trevor Gage.
Each year, the holiday season brings parties, gift exchanges and all things joyful. Though, for senior Trevor Gage, this time of year has always meant one thing in particular: giving back. Each Christmas, the Gage family chooses to bring joy to the lives of a local family that is going through a tough time. This holiday season, they chose a family that is at the very heart of OHS and the Owasso community— the Dotsons.
Mr. Dotson, a beloved administrator at OHS, had his family’s world upended on October 11th when his son, July, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor (DIPG). In the midst of this heartache, July’s story has opened the eyes of many in the Owasso community to the struggles of childhood cancer and the continual search for a cure.
As the holiday season prevailed, Trevor and his mom began planning his annual Christmas party, this year beginning by reaching out to Mr. Dotson to organize a surprise for July and his little brother Kolter.
Gage expresses the excitement within his choice in giving back this Christmas, “Every year we do something for a small [local] family, a family who has been going through a lot, and we felt led this year, with what’s going on with July, to help out [the Dotsons].”
This was not just another Christmas party for Gage or his guests; it was a project of love, appreciation and hope for July’s healing. All 46 of Gage’s guests brought a gift for each of the Dotson boys–July and Kolter, splitting up their Christmas wish lists to ensure their wishes came true.
“Close friends of mine— the boys gave gifts to July, and the girls gave gifts to Kolter,” Gage stated, discussing how he divided the Christmas shopping, guaranteeing both Dotson boys were left grinning from ear to ear, playing with their new toys.
Rather than buying each other pricey, unnecessary gifts this Christmas, Gage and his friends decided to spread some joy during an extremely challenging time for this family. For Gage this adventure did not end after the nice dinner and time spent with his friends, but it included getting to drop off the Dotsons’ gifts and spending some time with the kids.
“We delivered the gifts to the Dotson’s home, and it was truly awesome…me, Lyric Wheeler, Wyatt Eaton (other OHS seniors) and my mom, we all fit in my truck, and it was great,” he laughed.
Though the overflowing truck was well worth it to witness the kids’ reactions, “It was a big surprise for them; they were so happy, it was great!”
According to Gage, July’s reaction to the gifts handpicked by his honorary OHS big brothers and sisters was simple, but priceless, “woah.”
Yet his younger brother, Kolter, was busy learning how to drive Gage’s truck; he’s only got a decade left until he gets his license.
These priceless reactions are just a glimmer into the kind and relentlessly hopeful family that is the Dotsons. As of December 28, July has finished his radiation treatments and even taken his Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World, soon to return home in hopes of miraculous healing.
“We just wish the best for the [Dotson] family…I feel like what we did, everyone coming together, was just truly a great thing to do. There’s a lot of things people go through in life, we all need to come together as one and just help people out.”
Although the holiday season has since ended, we wish to continue sending hope, prayers and good thoughts July’s way. OHS students and staff, please continue to uplift the Dotson family and keep up with July’s story on https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/julydotson.
#ItsJulyYearRound
Photos from Christmas 4 July, provided by Trevor Gage.