SOUTH ABINGTON TWP. — There’s nothing like a good hot chocolate to warm one up on a freezing Saturday afternoon. That’s most likely what family members and friends of 6-year-old Matthew McDonnell thought as they lined up for a cup of his hot cocoa.
Matthew, who has been battling stage IV Wilms’ Tumor, a form of kidney cancer, since age 3, came up with an idea of Matthew’s Miraculous Hot Cocoa Stand, held under the covered pavilion of South Abington Park on Dec. 10.
Matthew wanted to pay forward the love and support given to him when people in the community had fundraisers, including Praise in the Park last summer, for him to be treated at CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia). He wanted to do a lemonade stand to raise funds to help kids from suffering from pediatric cancer, but had a relapse instead.
In October, NET Credit Union sponsored him to have a lemonade stand to raise funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand, named for Alex Scott, who raised more than $120 million through lemonade stands for childhood cancer research before her passing at age 8 in August 2004.
But Matthew wanted to do his own stand. Since he loves hot cocoa and the cold weather is here, he decided to have a hot cocoa stand to raise funds to help find a cure for cancer. Matthew’s Miraculous Hot Cocoa Stand partnered with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to raise awareness and funds for innovative research projects for better treatment and ultimately cures for childhood cancer.
With help from his parents Patrick and Linda McDonnell, Matthew brought gallons of hot cocoa to give to hundreds of family members and friends who formed long lines outside the pavilion.
“It was an amazing outpouring of God’s love,” said Linda McDonnell.
“We’re just beyond grateful for the love and support from the community,” said Patrick McDonnell.
Matthew received help pouring many cups of hot cocoa from his uncle Joe Minelli and his grandfather Patrick McDonnell Sr.
“I love helping out with people,” Patrick McDonnell said. “I get to meet people I haven’t seen in a long time and people I’ve never seen before.”
As attendees put cash donations in a jar on the stand, they also enjoyed cookies and other treats set on the pavilion’s picnic tables. They also tried to keep warm by the pavilion’s fireplace.
One of the many attendees was Amy Thomas, the principal of South Abington Elementary School, where Matthew is a student.
“I’m so excited to see how the community is supporting Matthew and his family,” she said. “It’s a wonderful turnout. I’m continually impressed with what a wonderful young man Matthew is.”
Many friends from school also came to the hot cocoa stand. Second-grade students Fiona Long and her sister, Ella, were accompanied by their mother, Fiona, and their dog Lucy.
South Abington Twp resident and friends of the McDonnell family, Natalie Adamsky, came with her four daughters, three of whom attend school with Matthew.
He’s (Matthew) such a strong, sweet boy,” she said. “He’s amazing.”
“I like to thank everyone for giving donations to the kids,” Matthew said. “I want the kids to be healed.”
“It’s wonderful that. even with their own struggles, this family is thinking of other children with cancer,” said Courtney Long.
Friends and family members form a long line outside the park’s pavilion for a cup of Matthew’s hot cocoa.
Matthew McDonnell, age 6, with his parents Patrick and Linda, at the hot cocoa stand.
Friends and family members form a long line outside the park’s pavilion for a cup of Matthew’s hot cocoa.
