After years of an intense fight against brain cancer, 16-year-old Cullen, better known as Chip, is nearing the end of his battle – but that’s not stopping his family from making his dreams come true. 

Despite his bedridden state and limited time left, Chip’s family – with the help of nonprofit Children and The Earth – is working to make sure he experiences the holidays with his family one more time. 

“When kids are nearing the end of their [life], we pull out all the stops to make memories for families.” said Jodi Hollingstead Frkovich, a member of Children and the Earth. 

Some may think landing two helicopters outside of the South Davis Community Hospital in Bountiful is just wishful thinking – but when there’s a will, there’s a way. Santa emerged from a helicopter and brought gifts for Chip, his brother, his parents, and all the kids in the hospital. 

The organization also brought in a full Thanksgiving meal for Chip and his family, as well as more than a dozen exotic and vintage cars lined up for Chip to see, fulfilling a final few things on his bucket list. Frkovich said the organization only had 24 hours to pull together his bucket list, but they reached out to the community and residents stepped in to make things happen. 

“We can’t add days to these kids’ lives, but we will add life to their days,” Frkovich said. 

The organization is also asking for your help in sending Chip and his family Christmas cards for them to read together. If you’re interested in sending a letter – or a drawing or card – send it to Chip at this address: 

10623 S. Savannah Drive, Sandy, Utah, 84094

Children and The Earth is based in Sandy, Utah and was founded in 1999 by Lana R. Hall. The organization aims to help children with terminal and life-threatening conditions. 

“Children and The Earth has come together to create special opportunities for these children and their families to make memories to last a lifetime,” the organization says online. 

For the holiday season, Children and The Earth has put up holiday “Giving Trees” at various locations around Utah. They also have events scattered throughout the year, such as a “heart attack” in February, where they plaster hearts all over their door and leave treats; a Ride the Brainwave event in May, which is a 5K motorcycle rally; and a trunk-or-treat in October for kids in wheelchairs who can’t do normal trick-or-treating. Frkovich said the Ride the Brainwave event affects the most children, around 50 to 100. It’s a two-day event to raise money for families. More information is available on the organization’s social media page. λ