Cuba boy makes national TV again
A boy from a small Allegany County community continued to make national news Friday in his quest to help children with special needs experience the joys of riding the rails.
Jon Thomas Robertson, 12, from Cuba, made a return appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
He was stunned to learn last week that “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” would help him achieve his goal of making the Arcade & Attica Railroad accessible to wheelchairs.
The seventh-grader, who attends Cuba-Rushford Central School, watched in amazement as ABC crews worked with volunteers to spruce up the Arcade railroad depot and renovate a rail car so people who are in wheelchairs could board it.
As J. T. sat on the set of “Good Morning America” today, the words “whistle-stop hero” appeared on the screen. The boy expressed his gratitude, adding that he’s pleased crews made renovations while still preserving the historic depot that is an anchor on Main Street in Arcade.
Over the years, J. T. has raised thousands of dollars by collecting cans and bottles, using the money to give sick and disabled youngsters rides on the Southern Tier rail line. The altruistic boy learned about the TV network’s decision to help make the railroad accessible to people in wheelchairs during a two-hour live broadcast of “Good Morning America” in Niagara Falls last week. It was part of the national morning show’s five-day “Whistle-Stop Tour ’08.”
During Friday’s interview, J. T. made it clear his mission isn’t finished. His next goal includes improving accessibility at the Curriers Depot, a second station where the Arcade railroad makes a stop.
