May 2020: 100KMs for Dreams, Our 20th Virtual Party, and Keeping Kids Dreaming!
As the summer weather arrives, our team is focused on finding new and creative ways to support our Dream Families every chance we can!
In May we launched an exciting new program to Keep Kids Dreaming, had more incredibly fun virtual Drop In Dream Parties, and were so lucky to be supported by some very special folks in our community. Keep reading to find out more!
How You Can Help Keep Kids Dreaming
Normally, we'd be working hard to send sick kids in our community on once-in-a-lifetime dream experiences here in Manitoba, and around the world. Normally, we'd be encouraging kids to dream BIG. While that has become a little tougher over the last few months, it is more important than ever for kids who are sick to be able to keep dreaming.
That's why we're inviting our friends and our community to help keep kids dreaming here in Manitoba.
Through the Keep Dreaming program, Dream Kids will receive thoughtful gifts and special deliveries of toys, games, and activities (like cookie decorating kits!). They will be surprised with virtual one-on-one's with their favourite princesses, superheroes, or entertainers. They will be able to enjoy a stress-free meal with their family where they can focus on what's most important: time spent together.
By making a donation to the Keep Dreaming campaign, you will directly support kids and families fighting life-threatening illnesses in our community in a meaningful way, right away. We are kindly asking for your help to remind some very brave children how much fun it can be to be a kid. Most importantly, we're asking for your help to keep kids dreaming. We can't do it without you! Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing how your thoughtful gifts are creating more memories and bigger smiles right here at home.
Please consider making a donation, sharing this campaign with friends and family, or learning more by clicking the button below.
Pictured: Dream Kid Aidan and his family enjoy a stress-free family dinner from Brazen Hall
Pictured: Dream Kid Teagan and her sisters participate in a super-fun Virtual Party!
Drop in dream parties update
It's hard to believe that we have now hosted over 20 Virtual Drop In Dream Parties for our Dream Kids, and all kids in our community!
We can't thank our special guests enough for their time, energy, and compassion to create more opportunities to smile for kids at home during this challenging time.
We also want to thank ALL of the kids and families who have joined us at one of our parties. Thank you for making these virtual get togethers so much fun!
AND there's more to come! In the month of June we will be hosting Virtual Drop In Dream Parties every Tuesday at 1:00PM and would love for you to join us! More information about how to connect can be found here, or you can get in touch with any requests for party guests or activities!
This month, we were so lucky to be joined by the following special guests:
Prairie Exotics
Mal and Uma from Descendants from Heather’s Pretty Parties
Gabi Macklin (Marine Biology)
Summer Bounce Entertainment (Trivia Party)
Mike Koncan from Global News
Heather Russell-Smith from Manitoba Theatre for Young People
Stephan Azulay from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet
and Snow White and Tiana from Heather’s Pretty Parties
100 km for dreams come true!
Our friend Junel is turning 50 this year and wanted to do some good with his favourite hobby — running. Junel ran 100km in support of The Dream Factory throughout the month of May, and asked for friends and family to make donations in support of his effort.
The Dream Factory is a cause that Junel holds near and dear because his good friends - Eddie, Brenda, and their family - have experienced the magic of a dream come true firsthand.
You can read more about Junel's incredible effort, and why supporting The Dream Factory is so important to him here.
Thank you Junel - for being such a fantastic friend to our organization. Congratulations on 100km and for helping make dreams come true!
Pictured: Junel ran 100km in May to raise funds for The Dream Factory!
Dream Kid Update - Karmyn’s sushi dream
Pictured: Dream Kid Karmyn is doing great and looking forward to her Dream Come True when it is safe!
It's hard to believe that it's already been a whole year since we teamed up with our friends at the Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservices Association to make Karmyn's dream come true!
While we are waiting until it's safe to bring this very special dream to life, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate Karmyn, our friends at MFRA, and the difference a year can make!
Karmyn's mom shared with us that she is doing very well, working on her audition for the school musical, and starting to come out of her "cancer shell" once again! We are sending lots of love to Karmyn, our Dream Families, and all of the folks out in our community who have helped make dreams come true. It means the world to us and we can't wait to see you all soon!
Meet A Dream MAker: Emergent BioSolutions
We were thrilled to be highlighted by our friends at Emergent Biosolutions in their 2019 International Social Responsibility Report! We absolutely love working with the incredibly kind team at Emergent to help make dreams come true and appreciate all of the love and care they put into their fundraising efforts.
“Our partnership with The Dream Factory is a great example of connecting with the community you work and live in,” says Inderjit Gill, Quality Assurance Specialist.
“During our two-week fundraising campaign every March, we sell dream clouds, where employees and their families post their dreams on a wall at our facility that we call ‘The Dreams Wall’. We also run bake sales and sold-out samosa lunches to support the cause.”
Thanks again to our friends at Emergent - we are so looking forward to working with you again very soon!
Pictured: Emergent Biosolutions presents The Dream Factory with a very generous donation after their 2019 fundraising campaign