Amazing kid moment - JT Robertson really made a difference

This Amazing Kid Moment is brought to us by Kids Are Heroes - the place where all kids can make a difference.

JT Robertson collects cans and returnables. He then uses the deposit money from those returnables to buy tickets for less fortunate children on the Arcade and Attica Railroad for a trip on Make A Difference Day every October. When JT first started, there was a problem with boarding the train for children with disabilities - especially wheelchairs. So JT continued to collect returnables to fund the trips but also started to raise awareness of the problem. He made a video and asked for letters of support for an Extreme Train Makeover.

JT's mom sent the video and the request to ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. During the time the tape was sent and JT waited to hear, an article about the Make A Difference Day Express appeared in Trains magazine. This article caught the eye of a producer at ABC.

On September 16th 2008, JT was a guest on Good Morning America. The GMA crew surprised JT with his hero Ty Pennington. Ty announced that with the help of Sears and two of his crew members an Extreme Train Makeover would happen. Paige Hemmis and Micheal Moloney went to Arcade, New York and helped to make two rail cars wheelchair accessible.

This past October was the fourth Make a Difference Day Express. The first year JT bought tickets for 21 total strangers. The following year (2nd) 84 children and 44 adults were able to ride. The next year (3rd) 328 people were able to ride. This past year was the biggest year - 728 tickets were bought due to recycling efforts and donations from complete strangers! Next year - who knows what will happen...

Check out JT on Good Morning America. Want to send a Shout Out to JT and let him know how proud you are? Click here to send your note. Have your own Amazing Kid Moment to share with us? Send us a note and we'd love to share your great stories.

Comments

[Monica Simons]

Thank you for your wonderful post about JT and the Make a Difference Day Express. Kids are Heroes is a great place to get inspired and cheer those on who are trying to make a difference in the lives of others! Thank you so much! JT's mom - Monica

[Gina]

Congratulations, Monica! You've raised an incredible son that is on his way to making this a better place to live! He's an inspiration to children, and parents and I love sharing his story.

Thank you!
Gina