(From WEEK News 25) - More than 100 children whose dreams became reality celebrated Christmas together in East Peoria.
The Central Illinois Dream Factory held its annual Christmas party at the Itoo Hall this afternoon.
The Central Illinois Dream Factory celebrates Christmas this time each year, inviting children whose dreams are in the works as well as children whose wishes have been granted.
"We grant a dream but we don't forget our children," says Event Coordinator Sheryl Jackson. "We keep in contact through the years. We do multiple events, but this is our biggie.
The organization helps children who are critically and chronically ill by letting them dream big and helping them realize dreams are attainable.
7th grader Ethan Blankenhagen has cerebral palsy and has not yet travelled to a Chicago Bulls game, but that wish is on the way.
He sums up how he feels with the organization's name.
"Big," Ethan says enthusiastically. "Like a big dream."
The Paulson family had one wish for their son Cooper, who has had a seizure disorder since he was two months old.
This year the Dream Factory gave him an iPad to help with his developmental skills.
Cooper's father, Tom Paulson, cradles Cooper in his arms as he explains, "He's very tactile and likes to touch and feel and he likes to see response whenever he touches something so we can set it up to play games."
The dream factory is a not-for-profit organization, meaning 90% of the proceeds made here in Central Iliniois stay in Central Illinois, granting wishes to children like Ethan, Cooper and a very special girl with a very special Christmas wish.
Six-year-old Angelina Shank came in from Bloomington, not knowing she would have her dream granted when the factory announced she and her grandparents will be flying to Disneyworld next month.
Angelina also has cerebral palsy, but she doesn't wish to see the Chicago Bulls.
Her dream is to meet the Disney princesses.
"I like Pocahontas, Sleeping Beauty and Belle and Cinderella and Rapunzel," Angelina says with a beaming smile. "I'm going to have lunch with them and play with them."
Cheryl Jackson says it isn't easy making so many dreams come true, but it's worth it to see a smile like Angelina's as she flips through her new Disney princess calendar, counting the days until January 8th.
