Winchester >> Third-grader James LaRosa got the surprise many children dream of today — a family trip to Disney World — for a very special reason. LaRosa lost his father about two years ago due to complications from an illness and now his mother is battling cancer. His mother has already lost her arm to cancer and now it has spread to her lungs. She’s been given six months to a year to live — there is nothing more doctors can do for her. Mica DeSantis, one of the founders of b-Cause Foundation, held a fundraiser pizza party for the LaRosas to raise the money for the Disney trip. “When my husband and I heard about this story, my husband was like, ‘we’re sending this family to Disney no matter what,'” DeSantis said, after presenting the family with the trip. The b-Cause Foundation’s mission is to provide opportunities to improve lives in the community. In the case of the LaRosa family that is just what they did, with the help of James LaRosas second grade teacher, Mrs. Leveille. Leveille, had been given the name of the foundation from the mother of one of James LaRosa’s friends, Lucas Hanecak. Mrs. Hanecak got the name of the foundation from Make-A-Wish foundation. Leveille took it from there; she contacted b-Cause, made all the travel arrangements, and orchestrated the surprise. Leveille was determined to make this trip happen especially after she learned that James and Ariana will be moving out-of-state once they lose their mother. “I was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago. My cancer is now in remission and I’m going to be fine. I saw this as a way to pay it forward,” Leveille explained Friday afternoon, while waiting for James and his friends, Lucas and Aidan, to arrive in the library of the Hinsdale School for the presentation of the surprise. b-Cause Foundation raised enough money to pay for airfare for four, hotel, Disney tickets, meals, and transportation. DeSantis presented James and his one-year-old sister, Ariana with giant Mickey and Minnie dolls. She also gave James an Angry Birds backpack for his Disney supplies, which she stocked with some necessary items for the trip of a lifetime — a few disposable cameras. Jenny Golfin can be reached at 860-489-3121, ext. 357. Find an error in this story? Email
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![SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The New York State Park System recently celebrated 100 years since its formation, with almost two dozen locations across the state lighting up monuments green and gold in honor of the anniversary. Saratoga Spa State Park was one of these locations, recently lighting up the Lincoln Bathhouse in honor of this […]](https://www.oneidadispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_1723.jpg?w=467 "SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The New York State Park System recently celebrated 100 years since its formation, with almost two dozen locations across the state lighting up monuments green and gold in honor of the anniversary. Saratoga Spa State Park was one of these locations, recently lighting up the Lincoln Bathhouse in honor of this […]")
