This story combines a lot of very sweet things: a local family formed by adoption, chocolate chip cookies and a surprise trip to Disney World.

It's all thanks to a nonprofit called "Baking Memories 4 Kids."

The organization's founder says the mission of his organization is to send sick kids on the trip of a lifetime -- and Erie News Now got to be a part of that big reveal.

Like so many families, the Basile's of Harborcreek have had an unusual year.

And, like everyone else, they had no idea how long pandemic-related restrictions would continue. 

"Nine months later, we literally haven't left the house," said Sarah Basile.  "Maybe a couple times for doctors appointments and things."

The coronavirus pandemic has meant additional limitations on their three special needs girls Zoya, Mila and Sophia.
Sarah and Shawn adopted the girls from the Ukraine, a story Erie News Now brought you last year. 

The Basile's middle child is Mila. She was born with a congenital heart defect and weighed just seven pounds at seven months.

"We didn't know what the future would look like with Mila," said Sarah. "We didn't even know if she would survive the trip home. We just said yes, and so since saying yes, we've had a lot of people put in our path -- doctors, teachers, therapists, all kinds of people that have done just that, have filled in those gaps and not only given Mila what she needs, but way more."

One of those people is Frank Squeo, founder of the nonprofit Baking Memories 4 Kids. He started the foundation after cancer nearly took his life 13 years ago.

"I knew that for me to get a day away from where it was going onto my organs - the cancer, I should have been gone," said Squeo. "I knew there was a bigger picture"

Frank now spends his days raising money, mostly through cookie sales, to send families on all expenses paid, once in a lifetime trips. In 2020, the reveals are done virtually and with the help of a stuffed Mickey Mouse.

"We decided you guys need to go and see the characters in-person," said Frank in a reveal video for the Basile's. "We're going to send you to Disney World for a whole week!" 

The reveal video for the Basile's elicited joy from their three girls.

"We're just so thankful for Frank and Baking Memories," said Shawn. "That you saw what we see in her to give us this trip for her."

In a year of so many no's - for this local family, a giant, year-ending YES.

"It's just been a very up and down year," says Frank. "But, at the end of the year, I know we've given away twenty-something trips, so there's twenty families out there that have something amazing to look forward to in 2021."

Baking Memories 4 Kids makes of all their money through selling those chocolate chip cookies, which Frank calls the best you will ever eat.

You can find our more about the foundation - and the cookies - on their website, bakingmemories4kids.com.