About 50 Make-A-Wish kids and their families were treated to a special holiday harbor cruise on Monday.
Kids and their families from Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire boarded a yacht Monday night and took a cruise around the Newport harbor. They enjoyed games, entertainment and holiday cheer, and even a surprise visit from Santa. Each child was able to visit with him and received a present out of his toy bag.
“The kids had a great time,” said PR and Development Coordinator Colleen Donovan. “They were in awe.”
The cruise was hosted by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Division. The yacht, the Eternity, was donated by Electra Cruises. Entertainment was provided by the Dana Hills High School choir, whoich sang Christmas carols for the crowd.
About 280 people attended the event, including President and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire Stephanie McCormick and Chairman of the Board for Make-A-Wish and VP of Operations for Disneyland Jon Storbeck. Also on board were representatives from the OC Sheriff’s Department Harbor Division, including Jay Wasserman, who was recognized by McCormick and Storbeck for his continued support.
It was a little stormy on Monday, but everyone still came out and had a great time, Donovan said. The cruise went very smoothly, she added.
“Everyone was in the Christmas spirit,” she said.
The best part, she said, was just the fact that they were all able to get together, which doesn’t happen often.
“For them to be able to all get together and have a special event is extraordinary,” Donovan said. “They feel connected to each other, they don’t feel so isolated. … It’s really special.”
