Operation North Pole in Rosemont
Excerpts from DailyHerald.com: Every year, volunteers with the nonprofit group Operation North Pole turn the ballroom at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont into a magical winter wonderland for children facing serious and life-threatening illnesses and their families. This heartwarming event starts with nearly 70 families boarding a special train at the Metra station in Des Plaines, heading to Crystal Lake. On their return trip, police officers, firefighters, and local residents lined up along the tracks to cheer as the decorated train passed by, making the journey feel like a parade of hope and joy. Once they arrived at the convention center, the kids and their families walked through a long line of police officers and firefighters, who knelt down and clapped as the children entered the ballroom, creating a moment of pure magic and warmth. Ten-year-old Jonathan Suerth was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at age five—a condition that causes progressive muscle weakness and eventually leads to loss of mobility. His mother, Margo Davison, explained that most children with this disorder don’t live past 20. “At first, it was really hard,†she said. “You don’t know what the point is anymore. You get angry, but over time, you learn to cherish every moment you have.†Jonathan, who uses an electric wheelchair, loves making people laugh, filming YouTube videos, and playing video games. He doesn’t make a Christmas list because he prefers surprises, though his mom did mention he’s hoping for an Xbox One. If Santa doesn’t bring it, there are plenty of other gifts waiting for him and the other kids. Volunteers signed up to adopt gift lists for each child, spending around $50,000 on presents. “For some of these families, this might be their last Christmas together,†said volunteer Crossin. “Our job is to make it unforgettable and create memories that will last a lifetime.†Margo is still hopeful for a cure for her son’s condition. While the FDA has approved treatment for children in earlier stages, there’s no effective therapy for those whose disease has progressed. “I just hope they find something before it’s too late for him,†she said. “If not, I just want him to be happy.†Thanks, Dan Xuzhou D.C. International Trading Co., Ltd. , https://www.tfgyspackaging.com