MAKE A WISH - HOLIDAY EXPRESS

Holiday Express Wish Party
On Sunday, December 3, 2006, the Holiday Express gave many Wish children and their families a terrifically entertaining party. The Holiday Express, which consists of more than 60 singers and musicians from noted bands and the Broadway stage, has over 400 volunteers. Their mission is to deliver music, food, gifts, financial support, and friendship to those with the greatest need for the gift of human kindness during the holiday season and throughout the year. Beginning in November to the end of December, the Holiday Express visits more than 50 institutions.
There Were Crafts And Games To Start The Day!
The Holiday Express!
The Holiday Express Show is an interactive fun-filled extravaganza!
			The Singers Went Right Into The Audience!
It Did Not Take Long To Find Out The Wish Families Could Sing!
And Dance! Frosty Was There! Rudolph Joined In The Fun! Disco Santa's Danced To "N. O. E. L.", To The Tune of "Y.M.C.A."
The Grinch Could Not Steal Anything Here! In fact, the kids won him over!
Rumor has it that Paul Huegel, former President and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, was The Grinch
The Big Hits Of The Show! ELMO AND THE COOKIE MONSTER
The Person Everyone Wanted To See! HO! HO! HO! IT'S SANTA CLAUS!
Thanks To The Holiday Express The Make-A-Wish Tradition Happens Once Again! "Making Children Happy!"
This was the third time I was fortunate enough to attend The Holiday Express Wish Party. It is very difficult to describe what a fantastic happening this is. The Holiday Express not only put on a tremendous show but they have activities for the children, give them gifts, help clean up, and more. Throughout the event, The Holiday Express does everything they can to bring happiness to all those in attendance. And they are very successful! Normally, I get chocked up about half way into the show. It only took about 15 minutes this year. The wish families were singing and dancing, very good I might add, right from the start. The place was so cheerful; as if these wish children and their families hadn't a care in the world. There was one little boy I met who really won my heart. He loved to have his picture taken. And you will see below, he also wanted to take pictures. After I took his photo I would bring my camera to him and show him his picture. He would be so trilled and the biggest smile came to his face. Being able to attend The Holiday Express Wish Party is just another reward I received for being a Make-A-Wish volunteer. It put me in the Christmas spirit and gave me more wonderful memories. I hope this email can increase your holiday happiness. Once again, my appreciation goes out to all of you who have in someway enabled me to enjoy being a Make-A-Wish volunteer as much as I do. Happy Holidays! Tony

SANTA???? ME??????

Hi All-
On Saturday I was at Rumson Country Day School for the Emmanuel Cancer Show. I was furiously doing my Personalized Holiday Drawings for the kids. It was a busy day. I think I did 80+ drawings. I had a list of names that I needed to get to (I hate missing anyone's request for a drawing) when Donna came up to me and said “You have 12 minutes to finish your drawings”. I asked why? She said to me that I had 12 minutes to finish because I was going to be Santa Claus. At first I panicked because I thought I had to do some dance or something. Believe me, you don't want to see me dance- It's not pretty.

Donna came and got me, and since you can't fight City Hall, I dressed up and I was Santa. I didn't know what Santa really did at the shows. Most times when Santa does his thing my head is down looking at the paper that I'm drawing on and I'm not aware of Santa.
Well I found out soon enough as soon as Santa and Mrs. Claus were introduced how rewarding it really is. I can't really explain how special it felt to have all of those little eyes look at you in wonderment. It was unbelievable how they all want to touch you and shake your hands and follow you around. I loved every minute of it. I envy Tony and anyone else who plays Santa at the shows on a regular basis.

Donna if you're listening —— THANK YOU for the affording me the opportunity to play Santa. Looking into all of those innocent eyes as they all marvel at seeing Santa was something I thought about all weekend.
If you ever need me to play Santa again-- I'm yours.

By the way—— I did finish all of my drawings that day.

Sincerely, Rich

PS—— I even got a little gift from a little boy. It was a little plastic pouch with candy and a little plastic bracelet. The little boy also had a drawing of candy canes and a Christmas Tree that he gave me. Truly a both are keepers!!!!!

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Aaah, Rick B singing the 'Green Acres' theme...

Zsa Zsa at the Emmanuel Cancer event... priceless