CJ Hein of Blooming Prairie has battled a heart condition, and made a wish for a new set of golf clubs, which Cooperative Response Center, Inc. in Austin granted through Make-A-Wish Minnesota. From left, Hein’s father, Chad, his mother, Audre, CRC president and CEO Chris Holt, CJ, and his brother, Joshua. Photo provided

Eighteen-year-old CJ Hein of Blooming Prairie has battled a heart condition for roughly six years, preventing him from playing his favorite sports. But thanks to a local business, he has new gear for his new passion: golf.

Cooperative Response Center Inc. in Austin sponsored Hein’s wish through Make-A-Wish Minnesota, as its employees raised half of the cost by holding a rummage sale, two tip-night fundraisers at Pizza Ranch in Austin, CRC-logoed clothing sales, and by selling a CRC 20th anniversary cookbook, with all profits from the book going to Hein’s gift. With those events, CRC employees raised the funds for a new set of custom-fitted TaylorMade golf clubs, including a golf bag, shoes and clothing.

“CRC is proud of its employees for working together to make this wish happen,” CRC president and CEO Chris Holt said. “We are very touched and honored to sponsor the wish of a child from the area. We hope CJ’s new golf equipment helps him achieve his dream of becoming a golf pro or child’s golf instructor.”

Hein has suffered from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy since he was 12, which meant playing his favorite childhood sports of football, basketball and baseball were out of the question. But last week, CRC made a matching donation to fulfill Hein’s wish.

CRC is a nationwide, cooperatively owned and operated, 24/7 contact center and central station. Founded in 1992, CRC has steadily increased the size and scope of its operation with offices in Austin, Dunlap, Tenn., and Abilene, Texas. CRC serves 300 members and associate members in 41 states, representing 4.5 million consumers. Visit CRC at www.crc.coop.