COVID-19 - 3 Months Later: How We've Adapted
Dear friend of The Dream Factory,
I hope this email finds you and your loved ones safe and well.
It's hard to believe that it's been three months since we shared our first COVID-19 update at the beginning of the pandemic's arrival in Manitoba. Since then, we've worked hard to adapt and ensure we can keep supporting kids and families in our community who were fighting difficult battles well before any of this began.
I'm writing you today with a quick update on how we've adapted over the last several weeks, and what the next few months will look like for our Dream Families and our team.
We've also been very fortunate to have a number of our friends in the community reach out to ask how they can help during this challenging time, so I've shared a bit more information below about some of the ways those who are interested can help us continue our work.
We're so grateful for a community of support that reaches out even when things are tough to go above and beyond for Dream Kids in Manitoba. I'll end this email with a few thank you's and share what that's meant to us over the last few months.
Thank you for being an important part of our Dream Factory community,
Howard Koks
Executive Director
The Dream Factory
How We've Adapted
While the last few months have been some of our toughest, I'm also proud to share that we have a lot to celebrate.
One of the first things we did when we realized we would be spending a lot more time online is set up our Virtual Drop In Dream Parties. These parties were opportunities for our Dream Kids to connect with our community, enjoy a half an hour of fun a few times a week, and share some laughter.
Our first Virtual Dream Party was on March 26th, and I'm so pleased to share that we have hosted 25 parties since then, with guests ranging from local media personalities, to magicians and musicians, to Dream Factory Ambassador (and Winnipeg Jet) Josh Morrissey. Staying connected with our Dream Kids and their families through these virtual parties has been a bright spot for our team, and they are something we will be continuing well after this pandemic is over.
With fewer dreams able to come true due to travel restrictions, we have adapted how we're supporting Dream Families in our community. A few weeks ago we launched our Keep Dreaming program, focused entirely on supporting kids and families at home, right now.
Examples of how the Keep Dreaming program is helping include special deliveries of toys, cookie decorating kits, and other thoughtful gifts; special virtual parties with favourite princesses and superheroes to make new memories; and stress-free family dinners from local restaurants so that families can focus on spending more quality time together.
A few weeks into the program, and we've had some wonderful responses from our Families. Just ask Ethan, whose family was treated to a wonderful dinner from Brazen Hall, or Maya, who was all smiles decorating cookies with her sister.
We've also continued to support Dream Families through our Family Funds - additional financial support to provide a little extra help to families in the midst of caring for a sick child. Since March, we have distributed nearly $23,000 to families in our community to help make this tough time just a little bit easier.
Perhaps most importantly — and something I want to be sure to highlight — is that dreams are still coming true here in our community. While it's true that many of our travel related dreams are on hold for the time being. Over the next few months, you'll begin to see some of the dreams come true that we're working on today: bedroom and backyard makeovers that will give kids like Sophie the perfect spaces to relax, have fun, and stay safe at home.
Pictured: Dream Kid Teagan and her sisters have become regulars at our Virtual Drop In Dream Parties, and we couldn’t be happier about it!
Pictured: Dream Kid Ethan and his family enjoyed a stress-free dinner from
Pictured: Our team has been hard at work to bring Sophie’s backyard makeover dream to life. You can read more about Sophie’s story by clicking here.
How You Can Help
Our Dream Factory community has been incredibly supportive over the last few months, and for that we are so thankful. We've also connected with some new friends who have asked how they can help. Right now, there are three important ways that members of our community can help ensure kids in Manitoba keep dreaming:
Make a donation to our Keep Dreaming campaign. You can support a family dinner, a special delivery, or help families in our community create some new memories. Every donation directly supports work we are doing to support families right now.
If you are interested in or able to host a fundraising initiative, our team is ready and able to help you with every step of the process and will make it as simple as possible to make a dream come true.
If you are comfortable helping spread the word about how we are supporting kids during this challenging time, we would be so grateful. Our social media channels are full of wonderful updates about how we're trying to make a difference today.
From All Of Us - Thank You
I want to close this post by thanking each and every one of you for being a part of our Dream Factory community. It is always because of you that we are able to do what we do for kids in need, and we are so grateful. There are so many folks who have made the last few months a bit easier: our Dream Party Special Guests, for taking time out of their day to make Dream Kids laugh and smile; our dedicated volunteers, who are still working hard to support us in so many ways; and our Dream Families, who have been so patient and understanding in the midst of putting many Dreams on hold for now.
I'd also like to thank our donors, sponsors, and supporters once more for their generosity, especially over the last few months. While we have a long way to go, we are encouraged by your support and grateful to be working alongside so many of you to make dreams come true.
As things begin to reopen, we will continue to exercise caution for the safety of our Dream Families, staff, and volunteers. With that said, we are looking forward to the time where we are able to gather once again in celebration of our shared achievement: making dreams come true here in Manitoba.