They dined on chicken tenders, pizza and cupcakes, then watched wide-eyed as the curtain rose on "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre.

More than 250 Lancaster kindergartners were treated to dinner and the theatre on Thursday, thanks to 18-year-old Shannon Hickey, who was marking the 17th anniversary of her liver transplant as an infant.

Hickey cooked up the idea of a theater celebration with about 75 of her Lancaster Catholic High School classmates, who served as chaperones for their young charges.

"I've always loved going to the theater, seeing musicals and live shows. I realized that many children don't get that experience," said Hickey. "This could be a wonderful memory that they will never forget."

The high school students each raised $25 to pay for their tickets and tickets for the younger children. The kindergartners are students at three city schools — Carter and MacRae, Fulton and Wharton elementary schools.

Each year, Hickey and her family celebrate the anniversary of her life-saving liver transplant and gave thanks. When Hickey was 11, she decided to celebrate in a more meaningful way. Instead of cake and presents for herself, she asked for socks for the homeless.

"I was inspired by Father Mychal (Judge), who was a family friend," said Hickey, referring to the dedicated Franciscan priest who died while helping victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City.

Hickey's organization became known as Mychal's Message, in memory of Father Mychal, and each year Hickey gives thanks for her own life by giving to others.

That first year, Hickey collected 1,500 pairs of socks. Each year, she came up with a new way to celebrate and say thank you. Last year, she and 100 classmates took more than 400 inner city kindergarten children to see Sesame Street Live at the Giant Center in Hershey.

"So I started thinking of what we could do this year," said Hickey.

Always fond of the story of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," Hickey learned that the show was being presented at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. It was the perfect show for the youngsters, a whole new group of kindergartners.

"I talked to Ken Marzinko, and he agreed that it would be great for the children," said Hickey.

Marzinko is coordinator of the Homeless Student Project for the School District of Lancaster. He helped to arrange for the children from district schools to go to the theater. Hickey and her friends did the rest.

Hickey's mother, Kelly Lynch, along with her grandmother, Sharon Hickey, put together goodie bags for each child. The bags include Lynch's children's book about Father Mychal — titled "He Said Yes" — as well as stuffed lion toys and candy bars.

Lancaster Catholic High School religion teacher Jim Rogers joined the show with his students and was proud of the way Hickey and her friends planned everything, and how they took care of the younger children.

"This is what it is all about. The younger children look up to the high school students. They all learn about caring about others," said Rogers.

For 5-year-old Julian of Carter and MacRae, it was his first time at a real show. He had seen the movie, but he was looking forward to seeing how the wolves and other creatures would be on stage.

Jeremiah, 6, of Fulton Elementary School had also read the book and seen the movie, but he was amazed at how they made it snow on stage and the way everyone dressed in colorful costumes.

"I also liked the pizza, macaroni and cheese and cupcakes," he smiled. "They were good."

If the younger children were the obvious beneficiaries of Hickey's celebration, the older students were equally grateful for the experience.

Lancaster Catholic junior Matthew Bruno shared responsibility for six children with one other high school chaperone. It was a new experience to take so many children to the theater, but he loved it.

"It's great. I like theater and going to shows. We're all having a great time," said Bruno.

High school juniors Alissa Kaufhold and Amanda Juliano also enjoyed watching the excitement of the children, and thought it was a great opportunity for everyone.

"They are just so cute," said Juliano.

When the curtain first opened, the entire theatre of nearly 350 young people was completely silent in anticipation. A few moments later, there was laughter as the colorfully dressed Mr. Tummus arrived on the scene of the lively fantasy. Then they booed the evil witch, Jadis, when they realized she was out to get the children in the play.

"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" is being presented by Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre through April 1. The theatre provided a special discount rate to Hickey and her friends.

Next year, Hickey hopes to come up with another way of showing her gratitude for the gift of life that she received as a seven-month-old baby. She was diagnosed with a rare liver disease soon after birth, and later her mother donated a portion of her own liver to her infant daughter in a procedure that garnered national attention.

"Doctors told us she would die before her second birthday," recalled Lynch. "So every year is a gift to us."