One sunny morning in mid-September, Deitra Catalano, HomeServices of America Chief of Staff, found herself in Anaheim, California, waiting. She stood at the gated entrance to Disneyland, just before its iconic, hilly bluff onto which Mickey Mouse is painted in colorful blades of grass.
And then they arrived. The Sunshine Kids. There at Disney as part of the non-profit’s annual California Fun-Time Fantasy trip, which careens eager participants through Southern California’s brightest highlights (Malibu, Hollywood, Disney, Universal Studios), free of charge. Every year as part of the trip, the organization brings a new set of children to Disneyland who are undergoing cancer treatments at hospitals around the country. And for a few days, these brave Sunshine Kids, who now find themselves at the Happiest Place on Earth with the Happiest Chief of Staff as one of their chaperones, are given permission to just be.
I spoke with Deitra after her day at Disney and here’s what she shared:
How did you first get involved with chaperoning the California Fun-Time Fantasy trips at Disney? In 2021, The Sunshine Kids Foundation invited me to be part of their annual trip as a chaperone for a group of kids at Disney. When they arrive at Disney, the kids are split up into groups of about four or five, and each group has a nurse and a chaperone, so I had the opportunity to be one of those chaperones. Each year since 2021, I volunteer my time and energy to do my part in making this a memorable time for these kids with the main goal being to HAVE FUN. (As a side note, I’ve been to Disneyland every year for 45 years!)
What was one thing that surprised you on that very first Disney trip chaperoning the Sunshine Kids? These kids, who were visiting California from all over the country, showed so much bravery and courage. To say ‘yes’ to the opportunity to travel without their families, without a best friend, and meet new friends … friends that can relate to what they’re living with, it’s endlessly inspiring. As a mother, I imagine their parents had to make the decision to let go and trust, wanting them to be as carefree as possible, and you can see they really are. This trip allows these kids to be kids.
Can you share some fun stories from this year’s Disney adventures? Yes! Sunshine Kid Ella was on a mission to taste Dole Whip before the day ended, and we made sure to make that happen. Sunshine Kid Jay quickly treated herself to some Minnie ears and joined me in an afternoon cold brew topped with sweet cream cheese and chocolate puffs. As the clock wound down, we were determined to all ride the Radiator Springs Racers in the very short time remaining before California Adventure closed. To get it done, we all went through the single rider line and you know what? Mission accomplished! There’s nothing the Sunshine Kids can’t do if they put their minds to it.
What were their favorite rides? Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and The Incredicoaster.
Reflecting back on it now, can you describe the experience of spending the day with the Sunshine Kids? It’s a hard thing to describe. It’s something I felt. Every time I’m asked to volunteer it’s a feeling, a vibe. Planning my travel from NorCal to SoCal for this special day is a feeling. Waking up the morning of and getting myself styled with my Disney gear is a feeling. Getting to the park nice and early is a vibe. Then seeing the kids in their blue and yellow themed t-shirts entering the Esplanade, meeting them and then going into the park is a vibe. My full attention, my energy, is 100% dedicated to them. I want to make sure they know they’re being watched over, cared for and allowed to have fun! I look forward to giving my time to this organization and to these kids for many years to come, for as long as I’m able, sharing days together at the Happiest Place on Earth!
How do you think the magic of Disney plays into a day spent with the Sunshine Kids at Disneyland and California Adventure? That experience where your inner child comes back to play is so uniquely Disney. The magic allows the kids to accept the fantasy as their temporary reality – a happy place. It’s beyond the rides and scenery. Everything feels joyful and lighter. This trip is an escape from long stays in cold, clinical hospital rooms, or days at school where they’re trying to concentrate on geometry while fighting cancer, and really, while fighting for their lives. A day at Disney helps them realize happiness isn’t a roller coaster or a sugary funnel cake. It’s a feeling, and that feeling is possible to find. For a Sunshine Kid, knowing in your heart that happiness is possible, well, that’s about as close to magic as you can get.
Deitra Catalano, HomeServices of America Chief of Staff, spends a day with the Sunshine Kids. Photo Credit: Deitra Catalano, published with permission.
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To learn more about the Sunshine Kids or opportunities to volunteer or donate, visit www.SunshineKids.org, and click here to watch a recap of the 2023 Sunshine Kids California Fun-Time Fantasy trip!
