For children with life-threatening or terminal illnesses, the experience can be almost unbearable and an unhappy one, but one local organization seeks to lighten their burdens and make their lives a little more bearable — that organization is “Magical Memories.”

It is a 5013 c3 non-profit organization that is run completely by volunteers, and there is no overhead. Kerry Tilford founded it.

“Our goal is to make magical memories for our children and their families,” Tracey Lahey, Magical Memories vice president, told Webb Weekly. “Each year, many of our Magical Memories children spend days and even weeks in the hospital having procedures, surgeries, and receiving IV therapies and medications, their daily lives are something we can’t even imagine, nor do we want to. During these hard times, Magical Memories sends gifts, such as books, games, blankets, toys, etc., along with gift cards to our Magical Memories children to help make whatever they may be going thru at the time a little more bearable”.

She said they have a small event for their children and their families in the summer. One year they had a family night at Knoebels Grove Amusement Park, where they provided the kids and their families some much-needed fun and diversions along with a dinner and free tickets to the amusement park.

Their big event is always in December, each year they have a Christmas party for the Magical Memories children along with their families. There is food, music, games, crafts, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus, who bring each of the children a bag full of toys. This year’s Christmas party’s theme is “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

“We want these children to enjoy the day, to forget about being sick, even if it is just for one day, we strive to provide these children and their families a day full of magical memories,” Lahey said. “All of our events are completely 100 percent free for these local children and their families. All of our funds come from fundraisers and local donations. Without the generosity of our community, none of our events would be possible.”

The next fundraiser Magical Memories will be holding will be a Chinese Auction at the Turbotville Community Hall on Church Street across from the Elementary School on Friday, November 2 from 3 to 7 p.m. and again Saturday, November 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be food, a Chinese Auction, 50/50 raffles as well as shopping opportunities from over 15 different vendors such as Thirty One, Norwex, Scentsy and Tupperware to name a few. You don’t have to be present to win. For more information or to donate, please contact them at https://www.facebook.com/magicalmemeoriesforkids2013.