The 2023 Josh Morrissey Classic - Recapping the Day!
On September 8, we set out on the golf course with our community for one of our favourite days of the year. And what a day it was! The Josh Morrissey Classic saw sponsors, volunteers, and Dream Kids come together to make this day extraordinary. Overall, the Josh Morrissey Classic raised a record-breaking $230,000 in support of kids in Manitoba facing life-threatening illnesses!
Pictured: Dream Kid Logan and his brother Ryder met Josh Morrissey at the JMC tournament!
We started the day out with a delicious VIP breakfast. The VIPs included Dream Kids Oats and Logan, along with their families, and Josh Morrissey himself! Josh spent some time visiting with our Dream Kids, taking photos, and signing autographs. Logan and his brother were so excited when Josh signed their hats, jerseys, flags, and pucks.
But Josh didn’t come alone - he was joined on the course by a handful of Winnipeg Jets! Dream Kids got photos and autographs from Adam Lowry, Neal Pionk, Dominic Toninato, and Gabriel Vilardi. It was an exciting morning for the young Jets fans.
When it was time for Tee-Off, golfers hopped in their carts and headed to their holes - the day was off to a great start. With all sorts of fun activities at each hole, there was never a dull moment. Brazen Hall was onsite with their famous candy bacon and Chef Roger of Chef in the House served up some delectable soups. The sugar-filled candy bar was a hit with the Dream Kids! Our putting contest this year set up prizes on the green where you could keep whatever your ball could hit.
Volunteers were at each hole encouraging golfers to try (rubber) axe throwing or the hockey glove drive. Dream Kid James could even be found selling Dream ties with our friends from the Kinsmen club of Winnipeg! Leading up to the tournament, we invited Dream Kids to come decorate ties to be sold at the golf tournament. James’ magnetic sales personality sold out every tie! Golfers strutted around the course wearing feathery, glittery, and wacky ties for the rest of the day.
As golfers finished up their games, Dream Kid Maya arrived to hang out with Josh. She and her sister also got to meet the rest of the Jets on the course too! Bellies were rumbling and suddenly it was dinner time - everyone filled up at the plentiful buffet and the decadent dessert table.
Pictured: Dream Kid Aly with her Jets flag signed by Josh.
Dream Kid Aly and her family joined us for supper ate her fill. Aly’s mom, Cristina, shared her powerful story - and the whole room listened in. Aly was resuscitated at birth - her lungs weren’t ready and she relied on a ventilator to breathe. This young fighter spent the first whole year of her life in the hospital. Today, Aly is doing much better, although she still requires a lot of care due to her tracheostomy. Aly’s mom shared how impactful all the support from this incredible community has been for Aly and for the whole family. All the while, Aly and her sister danced and waved their Jets flags ceremoniously during their mom’s speech.
Aly’s Dream recently came true! She and her family took a magical trip to Disney World and had the most wonderous time meeting princesses and going on rides. It was the perfect way for Aly to relax and forget about being sick for a while. A Dream come true like this wouldn’t be possible without the support of our incredible community.
The auction portion of the evening was kicked off by legendary auctioneer, Joe Aiello. Guests bid on fantastic, one-of-a-kind experiences and awesome, prized items. One special moment was when we presented the opportunity to fund a Dream to see an NBA game in person - our community wowed us with how quick they were to support this Dream.
We are so grateful for everyone who made this day so special. Thank you to our dedicated volunteers, our generous sponsors, all of our golfers, our Winnipeg Jets Dream Ambassador Josh Morrissey, and of course - the Dream Kids who stepped up and inspired this entire community with their strength and courage.