Charlotte Miller of Homer Glen is looking forward to seeing Cinderella’s castle and being immersed in the Disney magic.
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Thanks to the generosity of two communities, Charlotte, a 12-year-old with cerebral palsy, will take her first trip to Disney World.
The Miller family was randomly selected to receive a Disney World trip after a monthslong pop tab challenge between Homer Glen and New Lenox.
Charlotte, a seventh grade student at Homer Junior High School, is involved with Girl Scouts. She dances, participates in therapeutic horseback riding and won a gold medal in a Special Olympics equestrian event.
Charlotte’s mom, Jessica Miller, said she was touched by the kindness the entire village showed to send the family on this trip. They are all so excited, she said.
Miller said Charlotte, who couldn’t breathe when she was first born, has been a fighter her whole life.
Jessica Miller spoke at the March board meeting when the village announced the pop tab challenge. She thanked the village for recognizing Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, which not only helps educate others about disabilities but ensures that people with disabilities have a voice and have access to opportunities in the community.
She said Charlotte operates with the philosophy, “If you tell someone with cerebral palsy that they cannot do something, they will do it twice and take pictures.”
Even when she was little, Charlotte had a can-do attitude, her mom said.
Mary Winter Valloni, who was at that meeting, was so moved by Jessica’s speech that she nominated the Miller family for the Disney trip and had family and friends collect pop tabs throughout the challenge.
“Her story was very touching,” she said. “You could feel the love she has for her little girl.”
Homer Glen challenged New Lenox to see which town could collect the most pop tabs, and whoever won would get to select a family with special needs to go on a free trip to Disney World thanks to a $5,000 donation from Konow’s Corn Maze and Zachary’s Red Barn and Farm Events of Homer Glen.
The pop tab war was announced as a kickoff event to celebrate Homer Glen’s creation of an Ability Awareness Committee to advocate for residents with special needs.
In the months that followed, businesses and residents continued to donate to the cause.
Birchwood Gardens Landscaping of Homer Glen donated $2,500, and New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann donated $2,000. Chesdan’s Pizzeria and Grille in Homer Glen and Raffy’s Candy and Ice Cream in New Lenox and Frankfort each contributed $500 to go toward another trip.
When the pop tabs were weighed in July, New Lenox came out on top. But thanks to the outpouring of support, each town will send a family to Disney World.
New Lenox plans to select its family in a drawing next month, Baldermann said.
Trustee Nicole La Ha, chair of the Ability Awareness Committee, said the pop tab challenge was a great way to introduce the committee to Homer Glen.
“I’m honored to be a part of it,” La Ha said. “It’s about making sure we come together and have positivity and support for our differently-Abled community.”
The challenge also showed what a heartwarming and welcoming place Homer Glen is, La Ha said.
Homer Glen Clerk Christina Neitkze-Troike said the pop tab challenge brought people together who had never met and created bonds between Homer Glen and New Lenox residents.
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Residents are already asking about the next challenge, and the Ability Awareness Committee is planning both fun and educational opportunities.
“Parents of a special-needs child only hope and pray that people see that special needs children want to be included,” Neitkze-Troike said. “We are wrapping our arms around the community with special needs.”
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.