Stacia Eckhardt, daughter of Derek and Susan Dummermuth of New Philadelphia, has had a wish come true.
Kids Wish Network granted Stacia and her family a trip to Orlando, Fla., complete with hotel accommodations, meals and entry to the amusement parks Stacia has dreamed of visiting.
In early August, the family accepted the gift and enjoyed several days exploring Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, which Susan said was her daughter’s favorite place to visit. Susan said she thought of the gift as “a thank-you for all of Stacia’s hard work” for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Kids Wish Network provided the trip because the 12-year-old has cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening condition that requires daily treatments to keep the symptoms in check. The national organization grants wishes to children with life-threatening conditions, and they work with local organizations to raise money for sponsoring each gift.
According to a network wish coordinator, many area businesses and organizations contributed to help make Eckhardt’s trip possible: New Philadelphia Chapter 222 Order of Eastern Star, New Philadelphia Rotary, Mark’s Place Salon and Day Spa, Tuscarawas County Employees Dress Down Day, city of New Philadelphia – Clerical Unit, New Philadelphia Firefighters Local 1501, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1445 Carl C. Stoller Post and Bikers-N-Bears.
While Stacia wished for a trip to Orlando, her main goal has been to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Last March, she hosted her birthday party as a fundraiser for the foundation, asking for donations instead of gifts; and she participated in other fundraising events with a personal goal of raising $10,000. Her mother reported Stacia actually raised $30,000 through all of her efforts, and all of the money will help fund research.
“Thank you to everyone who helped. It was unbelievable,” Susan said.
The Times-Reporter
New Philadelphia, Ohio
Published: 08/16/10
Source:
http://www.timesreporter.com/news/x1351159465/Her-wish-comes-true
