Dreams do come true for local teen
Cindy DiFazio - Staff Writer

William Abplanalp, a 19-year-old 2004 South Ripley High School graduate, recently received a high-tech "dream come true."

A brand new laptop computer, complete with software, was delivered to Abplanalp in his room at the Manderley Health Care Center in Osgood recently. The computer was a gift from "Cincinnati Dreams Come True," a not-for-profit organization that provides goods and services to seriously ill children.

Abplanalp, who has battled cancer for many years, moved to Ripley County with his family - mom, Deborah; dad, Steve; and sister, Victoria, from Sheboygan, Wisconsin at age nine. His grandfather, Richard Gotchy, recently made the 430-mile, 8-hour drive from Wisconsin to spend time with him, and was there to see his grandson receive the laptop.

Abplanalp sat eagerly awaiting the arrival of his new "toy." In his lap he cuddled an eight-week old teacup poodle brought to work by Manderley Director of Nursing, Melissa Neal. Touches of home were evident - a collection of favorite stuffed monkeys, DVDs of teen favorite horror movies and of course, many cards from well-wishers. Abplanalp said he will use his computer to play adventure games and to look up things on the Internet, such as recipes for roast beef and potatoes for his mom.

Donnie Neel, a technician from Zimcom Communications in Cincinnati, arrived to present the computer and set it up for Abplanalp. Besides the usual software, it came with a sports package of basketball, football, hockey, golf, racing and baseball games. However, the feature that most excited him was the ability to download and enjoy his favorite music.

Barbara Wittenbaum of "Cincinnati Dreams Come True" learned of Abplanalp's desire for a laptop from a representative of Cincinnati Children's Hospital when he was hospitalized recently. Wittenbaum reported that it took only a week and a half to get the computer into Abplanalp's hands. She worked with Terry Chandler of Zimcom to make it happen so fast.

"Cincinnati Dreams Come True" has been in operation for 23 years and has provided "dreams come true" for more then 800 children. Barbara and husband, Jay Wittenbaum founded "Dreams" and have run it on their own from the beginning. They receive no corporate dollars, and have only held one fundraiser, on the organization's tenth anniversary.

Wittenbaum stated, "We do this on $5 and $10 donations. No one gets paid. Every penny that is donated is spent to help the kids." Their office in Cincinnati is in their home, and is decorated with pictures of all the children the organization has helped.

Incidentally, "Cincinnati Dreams" has facilitated some very special dreams over the years. In the 1980's, a child with leukemia flew with then Vice-President George W. Bush and wife, Laura, on Air Force 2 from Akron, OH, to Washington, D.C. to meet President Ronald Reagan in the White House. Recipients have attended the Super Bowl and other sporting events, met movie and soap opera stars, and gone on fishing trips and to Walt Disney World. Others have received special furniture, clothing, toys and electronics.

For more information or to make a donation to "Cincinnati Dreams Come True," write to Barbara Wittenbaum at PO Box 42890, Cincinnati, OH 45242, or call her at (513) 985-3600 or (513) 891-1941.

CINDY DIFAZIO PHOTO

Pictured from left are: Donnie Neel, technician with Zimcom Communications, who presented a laptop to William Abplanalp, seated. Also pictured is Abplanalp's grandfather, Richard Gotchy, and Ann Wagner, from the Manderley Health Care Center, where Abplanalp resides. "Cincinnati Dreams Come True" organizations made the laptop possible through their organization which has helped over 800 children in its 23-year history.