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A day to shine ...
By CAROL STARK
Ephrata Review
Published: May 15, 2008 10:41 AM EST
EPHRATA - Erica Eby lost her truck in a fire at John Nolt Oil in New Holland last
year but as this year's top fundraiser for the Make-a-Wish foundation, she
was first in line with a purple-painted truck with flower trim at the
Mother's Day Truck Convoy on Sunday.
"I do it for the kids," Eby
said. "Life sure is hard for the families that have children with
needs."
This is her 13th year driving in the Make-A-Wish Convoy, and
seven of those years she has placed in the top 10 truckers. This year, Eby
raised $17,000.
An estimated 381 truckers rode from Burle Industries
to Ephrata and back again.
Truckers came from as far as Oklahoma to
continue the 19-year event. One trucker noted that it cost him over $1 a
mile to participate just for the gas for the truck. But the event is
anticipated to hit the $300,000 mark.
Make-A-Wish children from
previous years grow up but that doesn't mean that they can't participate in
the fun. Travis Patterson, Reinholds, who is now 19, still took a run with
Daryl Miller who has been in the convoy for 17 years. Miller was truck
number four this year, having raised $10,000. In previous years, he has
raised $110,000 in those years for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
"If
we can make them smile, even for just one day then we have accomplished our
job," said Miller. "My Make-A-Wish child turned 19; 14 of those years he
rode with me but he still looks forward to riding in the convoy and
especially this year with my brand new 18-wheeler. Travis was granted his
wish in 2001. These children sort of become our children as year after year
they come for the Convoy ride."
Nine-year-old Devin J. Bucks looks
forward to the Make-A-Wish day as well. He had his wish to go to Disney
World through the foundation. Devin, who his mother said, is a math whiz,
was born with CDLS (Cornelia de Lange Syndrome). He had a cleft palate,
hearing loss, feeding tube, speech difficulties and has delayed growth but
it is his fight that keeps him going. "He looks forward to this day all
year long," said his mom.
The children also love the clowns. Obie,
the clown, who rode a tractor on one of the trucks, speaks with joy for the
amount of people who contributed to the Make-a-Wish foundation. "The clowns
along the route took in $9,235 as they walked with collection buckets. But
with only a small amount of time I know we missed some contributors. If we
missed you you can send a check for the clowns to the Make-A-Wish
Foundation, 1054 New Holland Avenue, Lancaster, 17601, said Obie. I can't
thank the people enough."
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