Superman Swoops in for 4-Year-Old Boy’s Toy Shopping Spree
Published at
WHTM(HARRISBURG, Pa.) — A 4-year-old Pennsylvania boy battling cystic fibrosis saw his two loves — Superman and toys — combined for the ultimate shopping spree.
Travis Kornbau arrived by limo at a York, Pa., Toys ‘R’ Us store Saturday afternoon accompanied by Superman himself with the mission to let loose at the toy store.
The wish was made possible by the local chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which heard about Travis’ story and sent volunteers to meet him and figure out how to turn his very specific wish of a shopping spree at Toys ‘R’ Us with Superman into a reality.
“Volunteers wanted to incorporate both of his loves,” Dana Antkowiak, a spokeswoman for the Foundation’s Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia chapter, told ABC News.
Travis, who wore his own red Superman cape while shopping, rode around the store on a Hot Wheels four-wheeler that he later took home with him, courtesy of Toys ‘R’ Us. He also was given a new swing set, Legos and an Xbox, among other toys.
“He was apparently a little shy, but very thoughtful about the selections he was making,” said Antkowiak.
Travis celebrated his superhero day with friends and family by cutting into a giant sheet cake with the Superman logo and the words, “Boy of Steel.”
“I’m really happy for him because he goes through a lot every day,” Travis’ mother, Tana Dellinger, told ABC News’ affiliate WHTM. “So to just have a day that is just about him is pretty awesome.”
“I’m glad I didn’t cry,” said Dellinger. “I thought I was going to cry but I didn’t.”
The Make-A-Wish Foundation gained worldwide attention last November when it transformed San Francisco into Gotham City to fulfill 5-year-old leukemia patient Miles Scott’s dream to be Batman for a day.
The foundation saw a spike in donations made online and inquiries into all the 61 chapters across the country from people who want to get involved in the organization’s efforts to reach the 27,000 children diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition each year.
“A wish is really meant to have a lasting impact on our children,” Antkowiak said. “It’s more than just some nice thing for a day or a week. It has life-changing impacts on our kids’ lives.”
Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio