The 20th anniversary Dream Come True telethon, staged Sunday from Penn’s Peak and broadcast on BRC TV, raised $69,770 to help children with illnesses.

The Blue Ridge Chapter of Dream Come True was formed in March 2004 and since that time has completed 98 dreams.

The four-hour event raised $63.937 last year.

Host Krystal Nemeroff has a good reason for being instrumental with the telethon.

She lives with osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disorder that causes bones to break easily.

Nemeroff began singing at 6 years old. At 8 years old she was referred to the DTC program after meeting a magician at a birthday party.

Her dream was to go to Disney.

“It was a fantastic and red carpet-like experience. They did not skimp on details and planning,” she said. During their flight, the pilot made a special “hello” to her, noting her presence onboard the plane.

The biggest thrill for her now is to impact the kids. “It’s so cool to be a role model,” Nemeroff said.

She loves being an advocate for those in positions she once navigated.

“Being able to use my personal story to help others is my greatest strength and gift,” she said.

She went to nursing school and graduated at the top of her class as well as being invited to be the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony.

A mother of two, she now is a full-time school nurse and loves giving back to her community and serving others who need her guidance and expertise

She hosted the telethon with Kim Bell, George Roberts and Dr. Ed Miller.

A highlight of the telethon was past interviews with children whose dreams were fulfilled.

Performers included Dance with Kim students, piano player Tommy Zito, Elevate Praise Band from Blue Mountain Community Church, Angela Nardini, Palmerton Area High School Chorus, EZ Listening Jazz Quartet and South Penn Dixie Band.

Nemeroff and Zito finished out the night with the song “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.”