Yaheim’s special Kennywood Day

By: Amit Shimshi

As a Friendship Assistant at CCChampions, I learned all about the organization’s mission to bring smiles to our kids’ faces. Working alongside Sidney, Jen, and Coy, I’ve shared happy, exciting moments with the CCChampions family. I was thrilled to experience first-hand the remarkable impact CCChampions has on our kids and their families when the team hung out with Yaheim, the sweetest 11-year-old boy! Sidney, Jen, Coy and I met Yaheim and his family for an exciting day at Kennywood. We shared laughs and smiles along with a Kennywood-must: Potato Patch fries!

Yaheim is one brave dude, eager to mount the scariest rides at the park! Our first ride was the Sky Rocket, a twisty roller coaster that launches zero to 50 mph in 3 seconds. Despite the Sky Rocket’s turbo blast off, Yaheim climbed on it with ease! Later in the day, he dared all of us to take on the most stomach turning ride of all- the Black Widow. Accepting the challenge, we all hopped on the terrifying ride and screamed from the top of our lungs. We all became closer (figuratively, and literally) as we fit into one tiny turtle on the Turtle Chase! The ride’s fast turns had us smashing into each other and laughing uncontrollably. It was so much fun to share such lighthearted moments with Yaheim and his family!

I loved spending time with Yaheim, his family, and the CCChampions crew, and can’t wait for another adventure. Here are a couple of our favorite moments captured on camera!