It was the 30th time the charity had sent children on a trip of a lifetime.
The usually annual event was placed on hold during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Koru Care Southland chairman Kevin Reynolds said children dealing with chronic, terminal illnesses or permanent disabilities were chosen for the trip to provide a bit of relief from ongoing health regimes.
He had been involved with Koru Care for the past 30 years.
"It’s a major milestone for us, and we are all volunteers. Everybody gives up their holidays.
"I’ve been in lots of organisations and I always said I’d give them five years of my time and then move on. But going over there and just seeing the expression on the kids’ faces when you go into the park, that probably makes me keep going all the time."
Most of the trips had been memorable but the one where a child told him she would be facing her 23rd operation when she returned had stuck in his mind.
Four registered nurses, taking annual leave, travelled with the team, to ensure any health issues were monitored.
For many children it was the first time they had travelled internationally.
Dipton resident Emma Phillips, 14, said she was looking forward to the trip because it was the first time she had travelled past Christchurch.
Emma’s mother, Shanna Fowler said the pair were totally surprised by the phone call they received in March to say Emma had been selected for the all-expenses-paid trip.
The two-week trip would include visits to Disneyland, Universal Studios, San Diego, Sea World and Knott’s Berry Farm.
The United States trip is one of two international adventures Koru Care Southland provides annually — another 12 children are selected to travel to the Gold Coast in Australia each year.
By Toni McDonald
