Santa Claus made a special trip south Friday to meet some very deserving kids. About 65 young people with special needs or serious illnesses took a train ride through the Lehigh Gorge in Jim Thorpe.
"Every day, they have to deal with something, and all we try to do is bring them smiles and a good time, and today does that," said executive director Rayann Vasko. "It's a day where we can really just act up and have a good time and forget about all the troubles."
Some of the kids had to be pushed in wheelchairs and some had to be lifted onto the train, but once the Polar Express left the station, everyone was ready to meet 'Ol Saint Nick.
"They're excited," said Allen Starr, a parent from Jim Thorpe. "They want to go to the North Pole."
These are all "Dream Come True" kids. The group grants wishes for children with special needs or a serious illness -- a difficult life for them and their parents.
"But it's rewarding too," said parent Tracy Weaver from Wescosville. "They give a lot back."
Dream Come True has been making these trips for more than 10 years now. In years past, they flew kids on an airplane for this journey.
But behind all the laughter, there is some sadness.
"A lot of our stuff is kind of sad, because some of the kids unfortunately pass away," said Vasko.
One of those kids was four year-old Ella Luchansky. She died of cancer last year. Ella's mom, Jennifer Kresge, still brings the other kids here.
"It's a good memory for us to be able to do this, because we originally did it with her, so it's nice to see people who are still fighting and also people who have lost too," she said.
Santa may not be able to grant every wish here, but for one day, he made a lot of kids' dreams come true.
from 69News:Home http://www.wfmz.com/news/Regional-Poconos-Coal/train-ride-with-santa-a-dream-come-true-for-kids-with-serious-illnesses-special-needs/29972360
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