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‘Light Up' begins Monday |
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Local Content -
Local News
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Written by Tom Chapin
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Saturday, 12 December 2009 |
Wish Assistant Polly Mills (right) talks with Wish kid Katelynn Wagner, whose wish was to meet country singer Steve Wariner, during last year's "Light Up a Child's Life" campaign. (File photo by Tom Chapin/The Punxsutawney Spirit)
PUNXSUTAWNEY — The Punxsutawney office of the Make-A-Wish Foundation's Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia region knows that if it's not broken, don't fix it.
Thus, those who enjoy donating to the cause will find schedules and events similar to past years, except for two notable exceptions.
A famed princess will appear Tuesday at Fox's Pizza Den and at the Pantall Hotel this coming week, but the main attraction is someone everyone — Wish kids and non-Wish kids alike — would like to meet.
Santa Claus.
The man in red will arrive via fire truck in Punxsy and visit youngsters at the Pantall Hotel from 1 to 5 p.m. as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation kicking off its annual "Light Up A Child's Life" campaign, running from this coming Monday through next Friday.
According to Wish Assistant Polly Mills, the campaign's main location will again be the Pantall Hotel, but live remotes will also come from Ragley's True Value Hardware (Monday); Fox's Pizza Den (Tuesday and Wednesday); Mulberry Square Elder Care & Rehabilitation Center (Wednesday); Caterina's Dolce Cusina (Wednesday); Punxsutawney Area Middle School and High School (Thursday); County Market (Friday); and all day Friday at the Pantall.
Mills said despite the still-fragile economy, the staff at the Punxsy office is hopeful for this year's campaign.
"We do the best we can," she said. "People are very generous this time of year."
In the 11-county region, Make-A-Wish granted 60 wishes this past year. The most popular wishes remain trips to Disney Land. The cost of a wish averages $3,400, which is based on the cost of a trip to Disney Land for a family of four.
This past year, Mills said wishes have included shopping sprees — complete with transportation in a limousine — trips to Hawaii and gift wishes, such as pools and computers.
Mills said one boy wanted a mini-barn for his goats. When asked how many goats he had, the boy replied, "None yet, that's why I need the barn."
Another girl's No. 1 wish was to attend the inauguration of Barack Obama Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C., but due to her condition, she had to go for Wish No. 2, which was an online shopping spree.
The annual auction will also be held throughout the week, Mills said, with next Friday as the final day of bidding.
Items up for bid this year include a deer antler wine rack; outdoor rocks from R.D. Brown Memorials; gift certificate from many area business; a Steelers gift basket; and a Steelers practice jersey autographed by safety Troy Polamalu.
"A lot of people give faithfully every year," Mills said about those donating auction items.
The "Light Up a Child's Life" campaign will be broadcast on WPXZ-FM throughout next week.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 14 December 2009 )
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