Davey Tree Flipbooks

March/April 2014 | 7 H appiness landed in Cleveland on an evening in early December. After all, bringing smiles to the faces of chil- dren with life-threatening illnesses is the goal of United Airlines' Fantasy Flight, which took off from cities around the world last year. But volunteers also reap the benefits of witnessing holiday cheer embrace those who need it most. Bill DiGiammarino, building maintenance technician at Davey's corporate office, had the opportunity to chaperone the family of a terminally-ill child receiving care at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital when they joined United's 2013 Fantasy Flight that took off from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in Ohio on Dec. 7, 2013. For nearly 25 years, the Fantasy Flight pro- gram has invited children facing life-threatening illnesses and their families to participate in a round-trip flight to the "North Pole." This year, children could theoretically leave all their worries behind in Northeast Ohio, as the flight actually took off from the ground for the second time ever. The plane previously traveled from one gate to another via the runway. "We had a full flight—30 families partici- pated," DiGiammarino explains. He, along with other volunteer chaperones, escorted hospital patients and their parents and siblings through the gate and onto the plane for a 45-minute adventure through the air over Northern Ohio. Before take-off, passengers watched as a crew de-iced the plane—a task not only necessary for a safe, successful flight, but also an authentic, fascinating experience for the children expect- ing a visit to the North Pole. "The kids were so excited," DiGiammarino says. "It was fun to see how they reacted to everything." United employees and volunteers sang Christmas carols, distributed candy and other gifts as the Fantasy Flight followed a scenic path to the North Pole—a route that included the view of Cedar Point lit up from above. "It is an amazing experience for folks who have never flown," says Teresa DiGiammarino, Bill's wife and United Airlines employee, adding younger children who still believe in Santa thought they were going to the North Pole. Upon landing, chaperones escorted children and their families to the North Pole, a section of United Airlines gates that had been closed to the public and decorated to depict the winter wonderland children so highly antici- pated to see. Even Santa and Mrs. Claus made Fantasy Flight Delivers Special Smiles '' Thank you so much! '' We received the following note from the mother of a child who could not hop aboard the Fantasy Flight in Cleveland: "Davey Tree Company, My daughter Sophia was supposed to be on the North Pole Adventure flight, sponsored by United, but couldn't due to the flu and subsequent hospital stay. We did, however, peek at the gifts, which United was nice enough to send to our house, and saw the [restaurant] gift card from your company. Thank you for thinking of our daughter and the families that go through their illnesses with them. It was very nice of your company." Sincerely, Colleen Cameratta and family appearances at the gate to greet the families. The children received many gifts and candy as they ventured through the "North Pole." Their stockings included gift cards Davey donated for the event. "It could not be as huge of a success if it wasn't for the generous support from local companies, like Davey, who contributed to this cause," Teresa explains. For the smiles shared among the planning committee, the volunteers and, most important- ly, the children and families who took flight that evening, the DiGiammarinos would have to agree all efforts involved were well worth their time. As Teresa says, "It truly was a great event and a lot of fun to be able to take part in." Above: "The kids were in awe," explains Davey's Bill DiGiammarino, a 2013 Fantasy Flight volunteer for United Airlines. Above: The family Bill DiGiammarino chaperoned during United Airlines' Fantasy Flight (pictured) included children ages 5, 10 and 12. Right: Santa greets a child after Cleveland's United Airlines Fantasy Flight landed at the "North Pole." Right: Bill DiGiammarino (center), his daughter, Rachel (left), and wife Teresa visit the igloo United Airlines employees constructed using empty milk cartons with fellow Fantasy Flight volunteers.

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