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Betson Make-A-Wish Conjure Up An Arcade For Young Cancer Victim

TICONDEROGA, NY Betson Enterprises has made its expertise available to the Make-A-Wish Foundation on behalf of 13-year-old Riley Dinsmore here, who was diagnosed with a progressive form of cancer. Riley's greatest wish was to have his very own arcade full of vintage videogames from the '80s and '90s. Make-A-Wish was determined to grant this young gamer his wish, and reached out to local arcade distributors for help. Betson Enterprises (Carlstadt, NJ) was among the few companies contacted by the Foundat...

March 18, 2019

TICONDEROGA, NY - Betson Enterprises has made its expertise available to the Make-A-Wish Foundation on behalf of 13-year-old Riley Dinsmore here, who was diagnosed with a progressive form of cancer. Riley's greatest wish was to have his very own arcade full of vintage videogames from the '80s and '90s.

Make-A-Wish was determined to grant this young gamer his wish, and reached out to local arcade distributors for help. Betson Enterprises (Carlstadt, NJ) was among the few companies contacted by the Foundation with the resources and the desire to assist in  making this dream come true.

"To be able to help this young man's wish become reality is something we are thankful for," said Betson president Robert Geschine. "Everyone at Betson hopes the gameroom brings Riley, his family and friends a lot of joy."

To fulfill Riley's wish, his basement in this upstate New York community was transformed into a personal gameroom highlighted by three fully restored videogames: a 1989 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and a 1991 original Simpsons (both by Konami), plus a 1992 original Mortal Kombat from Midway. Betson came through with two 2010 games that look and feel retro but play new: Pac-Man's Pixel Bash and Arcade Legends 3.

Betson Syracuse branch manager Dave Reiners and his wife Elaine attended Riley's wish reveal at his home in Ticonderoga.

"I've always loved collecting retro games, and I've always been a huge gamer," Riley explained.

Betson Syracuse branch manager Dave Reiners and wife Elaine (at right) attend the "wish reveal" ceremony at which 13-year-old cancer patient Riley Dinsmore (center) and his parents were presented with a basement retro videogame arcade.