July 2021: Kayne's Playhouse Dream, Beyond Dreams Bingo, and Deadlifts is BACK!
Summer is in full-swing, and that means a few things here at The Dream Factory: incredibly fun community events, exciting new initiatives, and of course - dreams come true! Keep on reading to find out what we got up to last month, and some of the things we're looking forward to over the next few months!
Kayne's Playhouse Dream Come True:
This is Kayne. He is a happy, energetic, fun-loving kid. His smile lights up a room. Kayne is also a kid with a rare genetic disorder, Chronic Granulomatous Disease. Because of his disease, Kayne’s been taking medication since he was two weeks old. He doesn’t know life without it.
Pictured: Kayne drew as a picture of the playhouse of his dreams! Do you think the finished product compares to his drawing?
Kayne started showing the signs of his disease when he was only a year old. He was pale. His blood hemoglobin (red blood cell) levels dropped. And he got pneumonia – a really bad case. For the next two years, he was in and out of the hospital.
When it seemed like his condition had settled down, Kayne’s mom enrolled him in kindergarten. But he developed a massive chest infection. He went back into the hospital. He was released a month later but still needed care. This cycle has been going on for years. It’s been really tough on him and his mom. And now, Kayne deserves to see his dream come true.
Kayne’s dreaming of his own backyard playset with a tunnel slide! He has always longed to play at the park, but it just isn't safe with his illness. Especially right now - he even drew us a photo of what his perfect playhouse would look like.
Last month, thanks to your support, that Dream Playhouse became a reality!
Pictured: A big thank you to our incredible building crew from Princess Auto - this dedicated team spent all day with us to build this unbelievable 3-level play structure.
Pictured: Kayne was all smiles when he saw his Dream Playhouse for the very first time.
We want to thank everyone who supported Kayne's Dream. Your kindness made this dream come true! And a big thank you to our incredible building crew from Princess Auto - this dedicated team spent all day with us to build this unbelievable 3-level play structure.
We are truly so overwhelmed and grateful for you, our fantastic Dream Community. Dreams continue to come true because of you!
Introducing The Beyond Dreams Bingo!
We are SO excited to announce that registration is OPEN for our new FAMILY FRIENDLY fundraising activity, Beyond Dreams Bingo presented by Kinsmen Jackpot Bingo!
We put our spin on a classic bingo card - there are activities to do, places to go, prizes to be won, and fun to be had! All you need to do to get in on the action is REGISTER by clicking the button below and a special bingo card will be sent to you right away!
All funds raised from Beyond Dreams Bingo will support our program of the same name, Beyond Dreams! This program embodies all of the special moments, experiences, and gifts that we work hard to create outside of the child’s “Big Dream”. It includes everything from renting out a local theatre for a movie night, hosting a princess party to celebrate a big birthday or treatment milestone, sending our kids behind the scenes at fun community events like Monster Jam, or providing a little bit of extra financial support to Dream Families during a very difficult time.
Register today for this brand new, super fun fundraising activity AND help make more special moments for Dream Kids and their families.
The 2021 Josh Morrissey Classic is SOLD OUT!
The 2021 Josh Morrissey Classic, presented by Exchange Income Corporation, is officially sold out! Thank you to all of our sponsors for joining us this year and for making dreams come true! We’re busy planning a fun day of golf and excited to see everyone on September 10th at Pine Ridge Golf Club!
This year marks the 4th Anniversary of the tournament. Over $270,000 was raised in the first 3 years to help make many dreams come true for brave Manitoba Kids battling life-threatening illnesses.
Dream Ride 2021 Raises $42,500 for 2 Dreams Come True!
There's nothing else to say but WOW. The 2021 Dream Ride took place on July 24th - and something incredible was achieved!
All together, 32 riders came together to raise more than $41,500 for The Dream Factory. Combined with their 2020 total, The Dream Ride has now raised over $63,500 for The Dream Factory.
This year’s event added a number of new elements include a 50/50 draw, more amazing prizes, and the addition of walkers who did a tremendous job fundraising.
Dream Kids Brie and Aria and their family surprised the riders at the event, which made for a really special finish line! They were blown away by the support and enthusiasm from the riders and got to see their community come together to make dreams come true.
The riders are already planning ways to make next year’s event even bigger than this one!
We have to send out an enormous thank you to Gary and Marsha Forgue - the organizers of the Dream Ride for their tireless work to inspire the riders to raise funds for The Dream Factory, organize prizes, and make a tremendous difference for our Dream Kids. We also want to thank our top fundraiser, Ken Pearson and the Dream Walkers, along with ALL of the riders who did an absolutely outstanding job in their fundraising efforts.
And of course, to everyone who made a donation to the 2021 Dream Ride - thank you. Because of you, two more dreams WILL come true right here in our community.
Deadlifts for Dreams is BACK! #D4D3
Deadlifts for Dreams is BACK! Now in it’s 3rd year, we know that this year’s event will be the best one yet!
After raising over $55,000 dollars since 2019, Deadlifts for Dreams 3 is back to once again support The Dream Factory and help make another dream come true for a child in our community battling a life-threatening illness.
This year’s event will be held on Saturday, September 11th, 2021. We’re planning for a safe and accessible outdoor meet at Training Grounds Gym in St. Malo. In keeping with allowed gathering sizes, participants will choose a time slot to come down, do your best lifts, and enjoy our first ever Deadlifts BBQ!
NEW to the event this year will be the axel lift! We're inviting our friends from the strongman community to join Deadlifts for Dreams this year and help us make another dream come true.
This year’s event is all about community, and coming back together in support of a Dream come true. If you are concerned that you are out of practice, or might not have enough time to train - please consider still joining us in our mission to make a dream come true. Our Deadlifts community is one that is accessible, welcoming, and supportive - no matter how much you lift on the day.
Most importantly, this year’s event is in support of Jasmine, an incredibly tough young woman in our community. Jasmine has a rare lung condition called Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia, which affects how her body clears out mucus and bacteria. She has an incredibly positive outlook on life, loves her family, friends, and ringette - and is dreaming of a trip to Paris!
Visit www.deadliftsfordreams.ca for more information about this year's event, to read Jasmine's story, or to register/donate today! We hope you'll join us in deadlifting for dreams!
Congratulations Brenda! Dream Factory Volunteer Wins Mayor's Service Award
Something special happened here at The Dream Factory last month - our very own Gratitude Ambassador and volunteer, Brenda Wedlake, was awarded with the Mayor's Volunteer Service Award for her incredible contributions to The Dream Factory. Brenda has been a long time - and beloved - member of our Dream Factory family, and we could not be happier to see her recognized in this wonderful way. Congratulations Brenda!
About The Mayor's Volunteer Service Awards:
The Mayor's Volunteer Service Awards were created to honour individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to the City of Winnipeg through their volunteer service. Congratulations to all of the recipients!