Dream Come True was founded in 1984 by local businessman Kostas Kalogeropoulous as a tax exempt nonprofit organization which seeks to fulfill the dreams of children who are seriously, chronically, and terminally ill and reside in the Pennsylvania's Greater Lehigh Valley area.

The children they serve come from all income levels and are generally between the ages of 4 to their 18th birthday. The dreams can be whatever the child requests and generally the requests fall into three categories - trips, contact with celebrities, and special gifts (computers, shopping sprees, redecorated bedrooms).

Eligibility is granted for children between the ages of 4 and 17 who reside in the Dream Come True service area for a minimum of 6 months who suffer from a serious, chronic or terminal illness (e.g. Aids, Cystic Fibrosis, Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy) or who suffer with an illness that has significantly altered their quality of life. The child must be able to derive enjoyment from a dream and must be able to articulate a dream. A child is not eligible for a dream if he/she has received a dream from another wish granting organization.

Dream Come True has only one part-time paid staff member (Executive Director). Everyone else is a volunteer. Since most work for Dream Come True is done from the homes of their board members and volunteers, they only have a small office in downtown Bethlehem which is used primarily for storing supplies and for working with their computer.

Some upcoming fund-raising events are:

• Ride or Stride at the Rodale Fitness Center in Trexlertown, PA - May 19, 2002

• Lehigh Valley Blues and Jazz Festival at Whitehall (Cementon), PA - July 18,19,20, 2002

Extend your best wishes to Dream Come True by contributing what you can or by volunteering your time. Let's all help them to bring somebodies Dream Alive.