The Blue Ridge Chapter of Dream Come True will hold its annual telethon Sunday night at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe.

Running from 5-9 p.m., the telethon will be televised by Blue Ridge Communications TV-13, and Service Electric Cablevision in Schuylkill and Luzerne counties."We've had a great year with five dreams fulfilled since last year's telethon and another four in the works," said Eileen Thompson, president of the Blue Ridge Chapter. "Two or three dreams have just been referred to us, so we're working on those as well. Our volunteers have been working really hard and we're really grateful to have them."By the end of the 2015 telethon, $87,522 was raised for the chapter with all funds used to fulfill dreams of seriously ill children in the local area.Each year, Dream Maker Awards are presented at the telethon. Dream Maker awards were initiated to honor people, corporations and organizations that have gone above and beyond to assist Dream Come True in fulfilling its mission of providing a dream for every eligible child in its service area.The 2016 award recipients are West End Fire Company, Stacy Halliday, Gerald "Butch" Borger Jr., Joey B's Bar and Restaurant, Hal's Plumbing and Heating, Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 927, 903 Landscape Supply, Darlene Brotzman and the Scott Antrim family.According to Thompson, average dream costs have increased to between $7,000 and $10,000, and every fundraising dollar means that much more to the organization."We fulfill a lot of trip requests," Thompson said. "Hawaii is a popular destination, and we've also done some cruises in the past."Several dream recipients will be on hand at the telethon to talk about their experience.George Roberts, Kristal Nemeroff, Dr. Ed Miller and Nick Hawkey will host the telethon.The entertainment lineup includes Tommy Zito, Dance With Kim, Jupiters Arrow, Elizabethtown College a cappella group "Vocalign," Erin Kelly and Lynn DeHaven, George Roberts and family, Kristal Nemeroff, Large Flowerheads, Chris Eckert and Leigh Pollari, and Royal Jam Music.Telethon sponsors include Ackley-Sweeney Advertising, Country Inn and Suites, First Northern Bank and Trust, George LaRose Insurance Ltd., Foster Jewelers, Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank, PenTeleData, Prodigy Studios, Rentschler Chevrolet, and Rentschler Chrysler-Jeep Dodge.The telethon is open to the public and free to attend.Nearly 70 dreams have been completed since the chapter formed in 2004.People or groups can help make a dream come true in various ways, including making a donation, referring a child, volunteering or holding a fundraiser event for the benefit of the chapter.Telethon viewers are encouraged to help make a dream come true by calling in a pledge during the telethon to 610-826-9600, or call the toll-free number, 800-585-1240.Referrals, donations and volunteer sign-ups can all be done at the chapter's website, dreamcometrue-brc.org.Donations can also be mailed to Dream Come True, Blue Ridge Chapter, P.O. Box 344, Palmerton, PA, 18071.Qualifying children can come from families of all income levels from Carbon, upper Lehigh, lower Monroe and parts of Schuylkill counties. The children must be between 4 years old and their 18th birthday.When a child is referred for a dream, a letter is sent to the child's family, who must give permission for the fulfillment. The child's physicians then confirm the child's condition, and two Dream Come True volunteers then visit the child to talk about their dream. The 15-member, all-volunteer, Blue Ridge Chapter board of directors then names a team to begin the process of fulfilling the dream. The entire process can take anywhere from three months to two years to be completed, depending on the child's request and medical issues.When a child has a dream, they are invited each year to special events."This year we went to Disney on Ice at the PPL Center and a trip to Knoebels," Thompson said.Dream recipients are also eligible for a scholarship, $1,000 per semester to further their education. Six children are currently participating in the program, and five have already completed school.