To Those Who Believe in the Magic of the Season!
by Paul Huegel
Like children’s birthday parties and Halloween events that come and go, my 9-year-old son and his 8-year-old sister will not be invited to any Christmas parties this year.
By now, I expect the party invitations to be sent to my younger daughter, Grace, with no mention of her siblings, Cal and Faith. For you see, Grace is a typical 7-year-old. She goes to school each morning and takes classes in English, math and science. She plays at recess and in gym class. She’s one of the hundreds of kids in our town who play soccer, among the numerous activities that make up her week.
Cal and Faith, also wait each morning for the school bus. The difference is an aide helps them onto the bus and into a seat and their day consists of occupational therapy, speech therapy and other activities designed for children with multiple disabilities. Cal is autistic and is also afflicted with retinitis pigmentosa– he’s going blind. Faith also is autistic and suffers from Bardet-Biedl Syndrome – she does not speak and has limited cognitive abilities.
The fact is, children with disabilities and illnesses aren’t often seen as the life of the party… except that is, when Holiday Express brings the party to them! For the second consecutive year, Cal and Faith will get to go to a Christmas party outside of our home as Holiday Express visits their school this December.
If you’ve never seen Holiday Express in action outside of the Red Bank Tree Lighting or a benefit show at the NJPAC or Count Basie Theatre, imagine if you will an empty gym with rows of folding chairs set up as if a lecture was about to take place. In less than 30 minutes, imagine a trans-formation unfolding as volunteers descend into the gym and a blown-up Santa, reindeer, snowman and other characters begin to fill the room. A conga line of volunteers forms around helium tanks as balloons are inflated, tied and placed around the room. Tables are set up for
face-painting, tattoos, arts and crafts, and games. Like any “concert,” the sound crew sets up microphones and speakers as sound checks are made… in this case, not too loud knowing some of the partygoers have hearing sensitivity. One-by-one the band shows up, instruments in tow. And boxes of strange furry costumes are hidden in a makeshift dressing room for some very special visits during the party.
Minutes later, the partygoers arrive… some in wheelchairs, some on crutches, most with the assistance of an aide or their teacher. Trust me when I tell you that this scene will likely not be duplicated for these children at any other time during the year. But for one day, for a couple of heart-warming, fun-filled hours, these kids don’t have labels – they’re just kids and it’s Christmas on December 11th!
Last year, as a volunteer at this party, I donned a character costume as part of the celebration. It was pretty tough to see out of that oversized, green, furry head – not because of the limited vision presented by looking through the narrow opening – but because of the tears in my eyes at seeing hundreds of kids, including my own, being treated to the party of their lives. Everyone was dancing – some kids sang with the band… others got their faces painted while still more wanted tattoos. Arts and crafts were popular but, as usual, the appearance of several special characters, including Santa himself, captivated students and teachers alike. As the party wound down, one of the teachers asked for a microphone and through tears of joy for the magical scene that she just witnessed, thanked Holiday Express for “showing such love for our beautiful children – love not often given to these children outside of family and school.”
Today, I ask that you consider being a part of the magic that is Holiday Express. I ask that you join me in making a gift this holiday season to this great organization that truly lives its mission to deliver the gift of human kindness. Your gift will make a difference in the life of a “special” child, a homeless person, an “adult orphan” living at a developmental center, or any number of people whose holiday cheer will be delivered on a single day; on the day that Holiday Express comes into their lives.
On behalf of Cal and Faith, and in anticipation of your generosity, allow me to say “Thank you!”