*Updated to include media coverage of the event.
Last weekend we went on the trip of a lifetime; a trip that very few are able to take. We were some of the lucky ones that were chosen to take a trip to the North Pole. From the organization’s website:
Founded in 2009, Operation North Pole (ONP) is a volunteer-based public charity that provides a magical fantasy trip to the North Pole for a family with a child battling a life-threatening illness.
When we were contacted months ago that James and his family were chosen for this year’s trip, we were excited. Stacy had already heard about this organization through the local special needs community, but I had no idea what it was all about. Although I had researched it about before we went, I was still completely blown away. Words really can’t describe it. Even a week later, we’re still a bit wired from the trip. I suppose some of that could be the candy. Lots and lots of candy! More on that later.
On Friday night they put us up in a hotel… a really nice hotel. Our room had a bedroom and living room area. We got there early enough so James could get a little bit of belly time before it was time for his dinner.
Thankfully there was a couch in the living room for me to sleep on. There wasn’t enough room in the bed for the three of us. It wasn’t the comfiest of couches, but it didn’t really matter. I don’t think any of us got much sleep anyway. We were all too excited for the adventure that awaited us in the morning.
Saturday morning, we got a police escort from the hotel to the convention center, where they fed us breakfast before loading us on buses that would take us to the train.
From the convention center, we had to get onto the highway to get to the train station, and they did something that I had never seen done before. They shut down traffic on the highway so that all of the buses could stay together in one long procession. I wish I had a picture of the police cars blocking off the highway, but I don’t. I could only imagine what the people on the highway must have been thinking when they saw the cop cars blocking the road for this long procession of police cars, fire trucks, and buses.
Once we got to the train station, we had to wait a little bit for the train to arrive, but it was worth the wait. It looked amazing! It was specially wrapped just for this event of a lifetime.
James had to be lifted onto the train, and then we were off to the North Pole. The train ride was full of fun and entertainment.
When we finally arrived at the North Pole, we were greeted by Santa Claus himself:
Then we were led down a corridor that was lined with firefighters and first responders down on one knee and clapping for us. It was quite an emotional experience. I’m not ashamed to admit that I cried.
Then we finally entered the “North Pole”, and it was beyond anything we ever imagined. I will post a bunch of pictures below, but they just don’t do it justice. For one, a lot of the pictures came out kind of blurry. And you really can’t feel the excitement, the awe, or the magic that swept over us as we wandered through the streets of the North Pole. There was candy, and games, and candy, and trains, and candy, and food, and candy, and Christmas trees, and candy. So much candy!
As much fun as it was, we eventually had to go back to reality and head home. There was one more stop that we had to make though. We had to stop and pick up the gifts that were picked out just for James. Once we had the gifts and James in the car, off to home we went.
James was pretty wiped out. I think we all were. Fortunately, we had lots of candy to keep us awake for the drive home. Ugh. And then we still had to unload the car when we got there!
Once we got the car unloaded, it was time to unpack…and sort through all of the candy we brought home with us.
After having our fundraiser for the van last year, we have an idea of how much work goes into an event like this, but our event was pretty small compared to Operation North Pole. To all of the volunteers, donors, and everyone who took part in our incredible trip to the North Pole, a HUGE THANK YOU! It was the trip of a lifetime, and we will never forget it.
Media Coverage of Operation North Pole 2015
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20151212/news/151219596/
