Entire Town Throws Early Christmas for Dying Boy

Devin Kohlman can see 'winter wonderland' from his window
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 30, 2013 8:16 AM CDT
Entire Town Throws Early Christmas for Dying Boy
Stock image   (Shutterstock)

Port Clinton, Ohio, sounds like a pretty incredible town. Devin Kohlman, one of its own, is dying of brain cancer, and he may not live long enough to see Christmas this year. So the 13-year-old's hometown has come together to start the holiday season early for him. Toledo News Now reports that "seriously everyone" in Port Clinton is participating. Christmas lights are everywhere, Walmart is donating presents to the family, and Devin has a view of a "winter wonderland" he can see from his hospital bed, which is positioned near his apartment's bay window.

That window looks out onto an adjacent park, where a star bearing the words "Merry Christmas Devin" hangs, and where a Christmas tree donated by the mayor has been erected, reports the Port Clinton News Herald. Hundreds of his neighbors dressed in Christmas colors and gathered across the street to sing carols for him on Monday. "I'm really glad that everyone came out here because [Devin's] probably sitting in there with a really big smile on his face, happy that everyone came out here," said one of his classmates. Devin came home from the hospital Sunday night, and he was escorted by a parade dubbed "Operation Bright and Loud" involving neighbors, police, firefighters, and more than 100 vehicles, The Beacon reports. (More uplifting news stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X