Dreams Do Come True
Pictured: Dream Kid #1 Jamie meeting his hockey hero, Wayne Gretzky! (1983)
The Dream Factory’s impact on Manitoba kids dates back to 1983 when two mothers, Michelle Harrison and Linda Cameron-Turchet, founded the very first wish-granting organization in Canada, called The Rainbow Society. It was established as a not-for-profit charity dedicated to bringing happiness and hope to children facing life-threatening illnesses. Their first “rainbow of dreams” was granted to a seven-year old boy named Jamie, who was undergoing treatment for a brain tumour.
An avid hockey fan, Jamie dreamed of meeting his hero Wayne Gretzky. His dream came true during the 1983-84 season, when the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets supplied tickets for a game against the Edmonton Oilers. Jamie’s evening began with his family at a Mexican restaurant called Chi-Chi’s, and then he watched in awe as his hero scored four goals during the game at the Winnipeg arena. Afterward, Wayne was generous with his time as Jamie lived his dream to meet him. In fact, he met several Oilers players during a tour of the dressing room. A joyful Jamie left with a cherished keepsake – an autographed game stick that read: To Jamie, from your good friend, Wayne Gretzky.
From then on, it became the organization’s mission to keep making dreams come true for as many Manitoba kids as possible. Since Jamie’s dream - more than 800 dreams have come true for kids in Manitoba battling life-threatening illnesses.
New Name, Same Focus
The Rainbow Society continued to evolve so that it could deliver a happy and carefree experience for children who need a break from battling illnesses. In 2011, after nearly 30 years of creating cherished memories for Manitoba families, we re-branded to become The Dream Factory, keeping our original goal to fulfill a dream for every eligible child. At the very core, it’s about making dreams come true for special kids in Manitoba – it always has been, and always will be.