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Giovanni’s Christmas Wish Comes True

COGAN STATION — It was the only thing 8-year-old Giovanni Hamilton from Williamsport wanted for Christmas and on Monday his wish was granted thanks to peo...

COGAN STATION -- It was the only thing 8-year-old Giovanni Hamilton from Williamsport wanted for Christmas and on Monday his wish was granted thanks to people's generosity.

Giovanni's parents told Newswatch 16 the surprise their son received was like a Christmas miracle for them. Their son wanted a wheelchair-accessible van for Christmas this year, but they couldn't afford it. That is until the community came together to help make Giovanni's Christmas wish come true.

Surrounded by friends cheering his name, Giovanni Hamilton cracked a smile as he was wheeled outside Hepburn Lycoming Primary School. The second grader has a rare genetic disorder called Schwartz- Jampel Syndrome.

Last month Giovanni came home with a special Christmas wish assignment. Instead of asking for toys, the 8 year old asked for a wheelchair-accessible van so he could get his new electronic wheelchair to school. His family could not afford the $33,000 van.

Giovanni's teachers and parents were in on the surprise. They were inside when the 2016 Dodge Caravan made its surprise appearance.

"It's incredible. This community and everything that they have done for us is just incredible," said Giovanni's mom, Shannon Algarin.

This gift isn't just for Giovanni. It's also for mom and dad. With all of the donations the community gave, they don't have to pay a thing.

"When the story originally aired on WNEP, the GoFundMe page exploded," Algarin said.

That's when Algarin got a call from Michael Cicioni from Hazleton. His family's company wanted to help.

"We reached out to our very good friends at F.R. Conversions to let them know what was going on and here we are, story come true," said Michael Cicioni.

The contributions of the two businesses along with donations to the GoFundMe account were enough to cover the cost of the van for Giovanni.

"Christmas miracles are real. They happen and this van is proof of it,” said Algarin.

The family did not have to pay a penny for the van. They plan to use it to not only to take Giovanni to school, but to his to his hospital visits as well.

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