Another joy-filled flight from Mercer to Disney with Dreamlift
In a Army New Jersey National Guard hangar filled with more Disney characters than Disney World, Rebecca Madeira channeled her inner Beauty and the Beast behavior.
“My name? It’s Belle,” said Madeira, a Rutgers University student.
Madeira stayed in character as a wide-eyed young girl named Chanel Hollingsworth found amazement in meeting a popular Disney character.
Hollingsworth eventually boarded the Sunshine Foundation Mercer County Chapter’s Dreamlift flight to Disney World, a one-day excursion for chronically ill, physically challenged, seriously ill and abused children.
Approximately 100 young guests shadowed by chaperones, flew a Miami International private jet to Orlando International Airport, boarded a bus to Disney World then hopped a ferry to the Magic Kingdom.
Children received a $15 food stipend, plus, a pass to Disney World with easy access passes to park rides.
Children and adults squealed as the Miami Airplane took off from the Trenton-Mercer Airport.
Community members joined firefighters, law enforcement officers, politicians and others for a sendoff party inside the National Guard hangar.
“This never gets old, only better,” Cathy DiCostanzo, president of Sunshine Foundation Mercer County Chapter, said.
“We’re blessed to have so many people who support us and these children. Hard to believe how many people showed up to see us off.”
Bill Sample, a Philadelphia beat cop, started Sunshine Foundation in 1976 after learning about Bobby, a four-year-old who battled leukemia as a patient at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.
Bobby had a wish to play in the snow. Sample fulfilled that desire with a gifted trip to the Poconos.
Bobby passed away four months after his snow play date. Still, Sample’s mission proved beneficial.
“Bill was a police officer but Sunshine Foundation became his calling. I believe that he was handpicked by God to create the Sunshine Foundation,” Kate Sample, his wife, said.
Sample passed in June 2014 but witnessed his non-profit reach thousands of special needs children.
The Sunshine Foundation includes The Cottages, a collection of Disney-themed homes built for extended stays by children and parents just 15 miles from Orlando and Disney World.
Sunshine Foundation of Mercer County Chapter guests enjoyed almost six hours in Disney World before retracing their transportation itinerary.
Many children and adults were asleep as the Miami International airplane reached Trenton-Mercer Airport.
DiCostanzo distributed Mickey & Minnie Mouse hats as a parting gift.
Dreamlift 2018 had again delivered a fun-filled, sun splashed memory in Disney World.