After a four-year hiatus because of the pandemic, the Dream Come True Telethon returned to Penn’s Peak on Sunday with a bang.

The telethon raised $63,937 for the Blue Ridge Chapter of Dream Come True.

“This year’s telethon is in memory of Voula Kalamaris, the first Dream Come True child for the chapter,” George Roberts, TV 13 News, said. “She passed away last year after battling a serious illness from birth.”

The telethon was also dedicated to the memory of Mike Harleman, founding Dream Come True board member, who died earlier this year. Harleman, a community leader and businessman, was instrumental in forming the Blue Ridge Chapter of DCT.

The four-hour event included entertainment by singer Tommy Zito, the Large Flowerheads, Dance with Kim, Blue Mountain Church, Erin Kelly and Brendan Ruane and Angela Nardini.

Sponsors for this year’s telethon were First Northern Bank & Trust, Rentschler Chrysler Jeep Ram, Foster Jewelers, Ackley Sweeney Advertising, Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank, R.F. Ohl, PenTeleData, and Dom & Ali Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge.

“We also want to thank the members of the teachers association and Pencor employees manning the phones,” Kim Bell, BRC TV 13 general manager, said. “Thanks to the crew and volunteers donating their time to make sure that everything went great.”

“We heard from so many wonderful kids, so many awesome families,” co-host Kristal Nemeroff said. “Thanks to everyone who called in and made pledges.”

Dream Come True-Blue Ridge Chapter has granted 90 dreams since its inception in 2004. They had five dreams this year; and, so far, three planned for 2024. Children who could use a dream can visit www.dreamcometrue-brc.org.