Like almost everyone else, NOTL’s Amber Dyck has a specific image of Santa Claus engrained in her brain from childhood.
This year, however, with her daughter Megan suffering from a terminal illness, Father Christmas has taken on a new look thanks to the generosity and love of a NOTL company and its employees.
Megan was born with the rare genetic condition known as trisomy 8 and, earlier this year, was diagnosed with clear cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of cancer.
It is not likely the 15-year-old will experience another Christmas past this one.
On Nov. 25, at the start of the work day Santa and his helpers — Joe Pillitteri and employees from Lakeview Vineyard Equipment — swooped in to grant Megan a Christmas wish by draping the family home in seasonal lights and displays.
“I was saying to my husband Santa looks a little bit different this year,” said Amber from the porch of her Cherry Street home as Lakeview employees scurried about like elves to create the Christmas scene.
“Joe and his guys are definitely the face of Christmas magic,” she added.
While Dyck had prior knowledge of the miracle unfolding on her property, daughter Megan — in bed resting — didn’t see what was happening until most of the work had finished a few hours later.
“I had mentioned to a few friends and family that Megan loves lights and to see if anybody wants to help us get some up to make it feel cheery this year,” said Dyck.
“Joe just showed up big time like he does with his huge heart and is making our season a whole lot brighter,” she added.
For Megan, when she finally did view what was happening, the scene was unbelievable.
“Honestly, it doesn’t feel real,” she said after being led outside by her mother to witness the property’s transformation.
“It feels too good to be true,” she added with a big smile.
She wasn’t surprised by Pillitteri and the crew’s kind gesture and hard work.
She and her family have known the Pillitteris for years as part of the community and because of Joe’s volunteer involvement with the Terry Fox Foundation.
“Joe makes a brighter light for all kids with disabilities,” said Megan.
For Pillitteri, the decision to call in the troops and give Megan her wish of a brightly lit Christmas was an easy one.
“Watching them as a family, how they face this — unfair is the only way to describe it,” he said.
“But to look at the grace and love that they have handled their journey with, it really is an inspiration to us,” he said.
“Anything we try to do for their family, I swear we have gotten it back 10-fold by using them as an example of how to live and how to celebrate each other in the days that we can, in health and in illness,” he added.
Pillitteri’s actions also come from a recognition that at times like what the Dycks are going through now, there is precious little extra time for the things people normally take for granted.
“They are at the stage where they want to be able to celebrate Christmas but their hours are precious and are spoken for with Megan’s care and the fact that life still goes on.”
“We thought if we could take this one little burden off their shoulders we would feel good doing it.”
Dyck certainly feels good about it, not only about what Pillitteri did on this day but also for the tireless volunteer hours and support he spends on helping to raise money for cancer research with the Terry Fox Foundation.
“This is so special and totally is making our lives merrier this season,” she said.
“But Joe’s relentless work with the Terry Fox Foundation is even more special to us.”
“Our Christmas hope is that no family has to go through what we are doing and that there will be continued research so that one day all children will have a cure.”
