They're Going To Disney World: New Lenox Family Chosen For Trip

NEW LENOX, IL — A New Lenox family was selected as the recipient of a trip to Disney World, which came about from a friendly Pop Tab Challenge with the Village of Homer Glen over the summer.

The Brazel family was made aware of the their family's selection Saturday during the Village of New Lenox's 9/11 ceremony. New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann presented Ryan Brazel, his wife Lauren, and their three children — Molly, 7, and twins Charles and Frances, 5 — a certificate to mark the occasion.

“It’s still unreal. We’re still just floored about it,” Ryan Brazel said. “[New Lenox] is an amazing community with amazing people and a great mayor. We’re truly humbled to be part of all this.”

Brazel said the family is looking at making the trip in February and is currently working with a travel agent to make the arrangements.

Brazel said he last went to Disney World when he was 8 or 9 years old. Their upcoming trip will be the first the family will take together to Disney World, and the children are beyond excited. Brazel said that every day since the announcement of the trip, Charles has asked if today is the day they’ll go.

“It’s been, ‘Dad, are we going today?’ ‘No, we’re not going today, buddy. We’re working on it. Your mom and I are working on it,’” Brazel said.

Although the details for the trip still need to be worked out, Brazel said he thinks he knows where the first stop at Disney World will be: The Polynesian Village Resort.

“That’s where ‘Moana’ is, and that’s Francis’ favorite Disney movie," Brazel said. "He absolutely loses his mind when he hears it just beginning. So, that would probably be the first thing we’d want to do.”

The Pop Tab Challenge results were announced in July, with a combined 4,017 pounds of pop tabs collected between New Lenox and Homer Glen. But it was New Lenox that came out ahead with 2,134 pounds. The pop tabs were collected to raise money for Ronald McDonald House, an organization that helps fund parents of critically ill children, allowing them to sleep free of charge near the hospital while their child is treated.

According to the original terms of the challenge, the winning town was to pick a family with special needs to send to Disney World, a prize valued at $5,000 and made possible via donations from local businesses Walt Konow of Konow's Corn Maze, Zachary's Red Barn and Farm Events, Birchwood Gardens, and Chesdan's Pizzeria and Grille; however, thanks to additional donations, both towns were able to select a family with special needs to send out to Disney World.

Homer Glen announced last month that the Miller Family was the recipient of the trip to Disney World, according to a report by the Daily Southtown.

Brazel is a police officer for the Village of Country Club Hills and an active duty reserve for the U.S. Navy. His wife, Lauren, is a teacher in Oak Forest.

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