Telethon raises $62,869 for Dream Come True
Madison Brown, second from left, 8, of Slatington, talks about her Dream Come True trip to Walt Disney World during the annual Blue Ridge Chapter Dream Come True Telethon on Sunday. With her are, from left, Kristal Nemeroff, an annual participant on the telethon who received a “dream” in 1996; Madison’s mother, Katelyn Romig; and Kim Bell, general manager of Blue Ridge Communications TV-13. The telethon raised $62,869. RON GOWER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
Dr. Edward Miller and his granddaugher, Hallie Miller, 9, read pledge totals during telethon for the Blue Ridge Chapter of Dream Come True, held Monday at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe. The telethon netted $62,869. All the money raised remains with the local chapter.
Enough money to make dreams come true for at least 10 individuals and their families was raised during the annual telethon of the Blue Ridge Chapter of Dream Come True.
The four-hour event netted a total of $62,869 on Sunday.
The telethon was broadcast on Blue Ridge Communications TV-13 from Penn’s Peak in Penn Forest Township.
The pledges and the grand total were read by Dr. Edward Miller, who has served on the board of directors of Dream Come True for 15 years, and his 9-year-old granddaughter, Hallie Miller.
Dr. Miller said some of the pledged money was raised from events held throughout the year.
“It’s been a great year,” he said. “We will bring dreams to 10 kids and their families.”
A highlight of the telethon was the presentation of “Dream Maker Awards.”
Presenting the awards were Kristal Nemeroff, a Dream Come True recipient at age 8 in 1996, and Wendy Borger representing Dream Come True.
The hosts of the telethon were Kim Bell, general manager of Blue Ridge Communications TV-13, and George Roberts, news anchor of TV 13.
The Dream Maker award recipients are:
• Carla Teichert and John Teichert for years of fundraising support at the Palmerton Festival, Lights in the Park, Breakfast with Santa, and the Prom Dress Sale.
• Thomas Oncheck, Todd Latshaw, Michael Rehrig and Ramona Heelan for support of the Lehigh Township Benefit Festival and Car Show at Becky’s Drive-In.
• Brian Filchner, Chris Kuhns, Jen Kuhns and Louise Hower for years of support from the Walnutport baseball/softball fundraiser, which was held on Sept. 7.
Filchner presented a check totaling $11,250 raised by the event during which the boys baseball team played the girls softball team.
“This is the 21st year we had this event,” Filchner said.
Board member Eric Heiney said the goal this year was to raise $7,500.
“The weather was perfect and everybody was happy,” he said, resulting in the surpassing of the goal.
The car show in Lehigh Township raised $11,040, which was presented to Dream Come True by Lehigh Township Lions Club members Gary Smith and Daryl Amey.
Also present were Cindy Deppe, co-owner of Becky’s Drive-In, and Duncan the Dog, the official mascot of Becky’s Drive-In.
Tony Wolfe of the Hunter Wolfe Memorial Golf Tournament, gave $18,104.77 that was raised in the tournament.
Tyra Boni and Miranda Wommer of Lehighton gave a check totaling $2,100 representing funds raised at a “When You Wish Family Night Fall Festival” event held at Foothill Farm in Mahoning Township on Oct. 13.
In addition, they said they received a gift to award a vacation in the vicinity of Kissimmee, Florida.
During the telethon there was all sorts of entertainment.
The finale was a duet by Nemeroff and Tommy Zito, who sang “Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz.” Zito also sang the stirring number “Alleluia.”
The Blue Mountain Church, annual participants in the telethon, sang several songs.
Among the other performers were the Large Flowerheads, Sunshine Symphony, Jupiter’s Arrow, George Roberts and Family, Chris Eckert and Alexander Baldwin.
