Racing Santa Delivers Special Gift for Stephanie Soberri
By: Betty Glynn
Stephanie Soberri, who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, knows what it's like to not always have your dreams come true. What the tiny blonde didn't know was that her list was checked twice and someone special was coming to town.
It was a bit early for the jolly fellow to arrive but on December 8th the Stephanie Soberri benefit was the site of a Racing Santa's stop. Santa didn't fly overhead in a sleigh led by Rudolph nor did he drop down the chimney.
His ride was far different than any fable or sighting. He rolled into town in a wheelchair equipped van with a print out from Mapquest leading his way. His route through the building was not magical indeed as he took the stairs to the top floor of the Knights of Columbus Hall in La Salle.
At just after 7PM, the fundraiser was well underway when Steph and her immediate family were summoned to the stage. Her secret Santa came into view as he worked his way through the rows of chairs filled with friends, family members and well wishers.
The arrival of this unconventional attendee was a surprise well planned. As he strolled through the crowd decked out in his red racing fire suit, white beard and Santa hat, it was plain to see there was a mission to be carried out. The two wrapped packages at the end of his long thin arms said it all.
The room that was filled with noise went silent and the crowd turned their attention to Steph and her family while they wondered what was in store for this beautiful angel. Most of the crowd was unaware that just one day before wasn't nearly as exciting as this one for her.
On Thursday, a trip to her doctor in St. Louis determined a feeding tube was now a necessity. Good news was definitely something this youngster could use.
Santa approached the stage where a quiet and private visit took place. Steph opened the smaller box first. A Polaroid Digital Camera brought an enormous smile to her delicate face. Her Mother, father figure Brian, big brother Nick, Uncle Billy, Aunt Gina, Grandfather and many others stood close by for support. The entire stage was set like a family around the tree on Christmas morning.
The big present was still to come. The wrapping was quick to come off and the box was ripped with all the strength she could use.
The tears started flowing by everyone within eye's view even before her special surprise was visible because her face said it all.
Stephanie wanted nothing more than to receive a Dell Laptop for her journey so far from friends and family. Her wish had been answered by complete strangers with a drive to not take no for an answer.
Steve Brandt Sr. is a Street Stock driver out of Peoria. He has a rough road all his own with a severely disabled daughter named Bethanie. You would never know as his heart won't let you.
Steve read an article posted on a racing website and he put the ball in motion. He found a family willing to donate a used laptop. This family had been touched by an ill child three years before. At age one, their daughter was diagnosed with cancer and they too found themselves having a benefit to defray expenses. Next, he found a computer guru to refurbish the system also at no cost.
Of course, the clock was ticking and not all of the parts were available yet one more piece to the puzzle was needed. The part was located and shipped overnight from a person in Michigan.
All of the items were donated making it worth more than it's weight in gold. Together it was a combined effort to bring happiness to a much worthy cause.
Even the digital camera was donated. Circuit City in Peoria gave the camera at Steve's request. Now with a digital camera and a laptop, Stephanie can keep in touch with friends and family during her double lung transplant. Hopefully she will not feel so lost four hours from her familiar life in the Illinois Valley.
The emotions are still running high for Stephanie's mom Tina. "I have watched the five minute video over and over since Friday," she said during a phone interview on Sunday. "Everytime, I just find myself crying. It is unbelievable how generous everyone has been to us."
"Especially Steve, he has a sick daughter of his own to take care of, and then he does something so incredible for Steph. He really made the entire night special for all of us."
In the end a dream came true.
A fund has been established to help defray the enormous costs that the family will incur once mother and daughter relocate to St. Louis. Monetary donations can be sent to the
Stephanie Soberri Benefit
C/O Eureka Savings Bank
101 N. Columbia
Oglesby, IL. 61348
