35 Years. Thousands of Dreams. Countless Memories.
Fall 2015
After years of treatment for leukemia, 8-year-old Haley and her
family finally set sail this summer aboard the Disney Dream for
her dream-come-true. Haley was all smiles as she experienced
her life-long dream of kissing a dolphin. The family also enjoyed
all the many amazing amenities that the cruise ship had to offer,
including special meet-and-greets with Captain Mickey and
friends. Special thanks to the Bruck Family Foundation whose
generous donations made Haley’s dream possible.
Fifteen-year-old Esteban from Sarasota loves to work alongside
his father with their three horses. After being diagnosed with bone
cancer in 2014, he waited patiently for his dream- to see the
Kentucky Derby’s ‘Run for the Roses’ at Churchill Downs. In May,
he and his family headed to Kentucky to experience the Kentucky
Oaks and Derby races where they were hosted as VIPs. The dream
continued the next day when they visited the Kentucky Derby
Museum. The West Coast Medical Resources, Mr. and Mrs.
Andrew Menard, and gifts in memory of Nancy Lewis provided
Esteban with the dream of a lifetime!
Brave and spunky Spencer just keeps on rolling as he contends
with the effects of Ogilvie Syndrome. It was a happy day in August
when he and his big brother Jaiden met his hero, WWE wrestler
John Cena at the Amalie Arena. Spencer and his hero exchanged
gifts – a medallion for Spencer, and a framed photo and thank-you
for John. Gifts in memory of Joseph Farmer were used to make
Spencer’s dream come true.
A week at Give Kids the World is just what the doctor ordered
for 3-year-old Dylan. He has spent much of his young life in the
hospital undergoing treatment for leukemia. Highlights of the week
were riding the ponies at the village, and a meet-and-greet with
Mickey, mom and big brother Kevin. Our thanks to the generous
members of the St. Thomas More Men’s Club in Sarasota for
making Dylan’s dream come true.
2015 Board of Directors
The Joy of a Dream
David Allen
Raymond James Financial
Monica Christopher
LCG Advisors
Gregory Caraynoff
Dear Dreammakers,
Ben Dachepalli
I hope you can take a minute to sit back and read
our newsletter, and look at the smiles on the faces of
the children who have been served by the Children’s
Dream Fund for the past few months. As you can see,
we have been busy!
MetLife
Hill Ward Henderson
John Ferrari, Jr.
Ferrari and Gonzalez, PLLC
Robert Greene
Greene Hamrick, Perrey,
Quinlan & Schermer, P.A.
Rob Haddad
Wallace, Welch & Willingham
John Hobach
JMC Communities
Rohom Khonsari
Khonsari Law Group
Werner Koester
SandCastle Investments
Danielle Kucera
The Accell Group
Nancy Lamson
Community Advocate
Kevin Marshall
Marshall Advertising
Saloni Patel
As the US Controller for Tech Data Corporation, I was
especially delighted to see a team from our company travel
to Lakeland this summer to help make a dream come true
for 4-year-old Alex. She has been battling leukemia, which
prevents her from being able spend time outside and with
friends. Her dream was to have her own play cottage, in
her bedroom! With the help of her very creative Dream
Coordinator, Sara Williams and our Tech Data “construction
team,” Alex and her twin sister Ayrika now have a playhouse complete with a bed on
top, a slide and steps for access, a front porch, a chandelier, flower boxes, and even
a doorbell, all in pink and purple, their favorite colors. Alex screamed with delight at
the “big reveal,” Ayrika says it’s, “so comfy,” and Mom and Dad say Alex is sleeping
fearlessly in her own bed for the first time since her diagnosis.
Randy Ware
It is my privilege to lead the Children’s Dream Fund into its 35th year of making dreams
come true for children with life-threatening illnesses. In this letter we recognize Phil
Dickhaus as our Champion for Children, we highlight our wonderful volunteers and very
special events, and we acknowledge all of you, our donors, who through your generosity
have helped us make memories that last a lifetime for children with life-threatening
illnesses. Thank you for your support!
Doug Williamson
Sincerely,
Staff
Tracy Veillette
Chair, Board of Directors
Children’s Dream Fund
The Bod Fitness
Laura Sherman
Baldwin Krystyn Sherman Partners
Tracy Veillette
Tech Data Corporation
West Coast Medical Resources
Williamson, Diamond & Caton
Cynthia Lake Farrell
Executive Director
Christine Sabo
Director of Development
Amanda Griffin
Events Manager
Mallory Young
Dream Coordinator
One Progress Plaza, Suite 1830
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727.896.6390
Sara Williams
www.childrensdreamfund.org
Laura Sanchez
Registration # 1278
Dream Coordinator
Communications Coordinator
Lana Franklin
Database Manager
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Children’s Dream Fund
Phil Dickhaus – Champion for Children
Phil Dickhaus is known in our community for his commitment to his faith and his family. Since 1999, he has also
been committed to seeing that sick children know the joy of a dream-come-true. His first gift to the Children’s
Dream Fund honored a birthday, and since then, Phil and his company, Vine and Branches Beverage Brokers,
have made dreams come true for over a dozen sick children. In addition, Phil generously provides beautiful wine
for many of our special events! Says Phil, “Obviously, there are several non-profit agencies in need in our
community. When I consider where our giving is going, I need to have the confidence that the maximum
amount of the donation is changing the lives of those the organization serves. I have that confidence in
the Children’s Dream Fund. Not only do I have a small part in fulfilling the dream of a child who needs
some light during dark days, but my clients, in whose names the donations are made, love knowing that
they, too, are part of a young life being impacted, and memories being made. I am grateful to the Dream
Fund team for all they do to make this happen!”
Phil Dickhaus with
his granddaughter,
Annalyn Sango.
We honor Phil as a Champion for Children, and thank him for partnering with us to make so many children’s dreams come true.
Things That Make Dream Kids Smile
Alex
Playhouse Bed and Room Makeover
Nancy and John Lamson
Jo Lynn
Meet Austin Mahone
Carolyn and Kevin McNulty
Brian
Skyla
Custom Playhouse
Nordstrom CARES
Caitlin, Scott and Bailey Davis
PlayStation 4 & Flat Screen TV
Christin and Kevin Brennan
Raneem
Day of Pampering, Shopping & Dining!
MicroRam Electronics Management Team
Tanya and Mark Ramos
Bentley
Aquarium Party
Catalina Marketing C.A.R.E. Team
Gifts In Memory of Carl
and Aaron Tenbrock
Pedro
New Gaming Laptop
FOE Aerie #4351
Carol and Tom Hudson
Bob
“Man Cave”
TJX Foundation/Marshall’s
www.childrensdreamfund.org
3
Dreaming of the Most Magical Place on Earth…
Kiersten
Austin
Hunsader Farm Pumpkin Festival
Sayliana
Nick and Cathy Manna
Anna Sophia Maxson
Barbara Smith
Brianna S.
Saloni and Dhvanit Patel
Olivia
Chellymar
David Romine, Agile Thought
Tyler Johnson, Joe Ciocia
Girl’s Night to Give
Enzo Wilson
Wyatt
Tampa Bay Business Owners
Vine & Branches Beverage Brokers
Dylan
Walter and Edith Loebenberg
Family Foundation
Damon
First Housing Development Corp of FL
Atlantic Imaging
Janet and Joseph Dent
Brianna K.
Elisa’s Greatest Wishes
Kristiana
Walmart Store #4667
Diva Angels
4
Children’s Dream Fund
Victoria
Children’s Dream Fund Music Festival
Travels Near and Far…
Michael
New York City
DeBartolo Family Foundation
Debora
Elyssa
Disney Cruise
Florida Municipal Bond Club
Keystone Community Church
Hawaii
Randy and Shannon Ware
Atiana
Disney Cruise
Wells Fargo Community Connection
Program- Central St. Petersburg
Sam’s Club #4861
Walmart Store #1361
Didi
Devyn
Nickelodeon Cruise
Royal Maid Enterprises and
David and Cynthia Allen
Alaskan Cruise
“Seize the Day”
Project Christmas
Savannah
Hawaii
Nancy Fischer
Jennifer and Ro Khonsari
Joseph Redinger
Lauren
Disney Cruise
Tech Data Corporation
Alexxia
Esteban
Kentucky Derby
WestCMR
Hawaii
Tech Data Corporation
www.childrensdreamfund.org
5
Thank you to our Dreammakers
American Museum of Natural History
Duke’s Waikiki
Lee Nails Spa at Westfield Brandon
Hotel
Aramark at the Florida Aquarium
Experia USA Inc.
Little Light of Mine Photography
Space Needle
ASUS
Food Network
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Speedo
Atlantis Paradise Island Resort
Give Kids The World
Mr. Bob Sanders
Statue Cruises
Avoya Travel
Great American Cookies
at Westfield Brandon
National September 11 Memorial &
Museum at the World Trade Center
Foundation, Inc
Tampa Airport Marriott
Bath & Body Works
Benjamin Steak House
Best Buy South Tampa #561
California Pizza Kitchen
at Westfield Brandon
Candy Barrel at Westfield Brandon
Carnival Cruise Lines
Chase Entertainment LLC
Churchill Downs, Inc.
Claire’s at Westfield Brandon
Crown Plaza Seattle Downtown
Dave & Buster’s- Honolulu, HI
Dillard’s at Westfield Brandon
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Store at Westfield Brandon
Hans Hedemann Surf School
Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu
Hilton Miami Downtown
His & Hers Limousines
Homewood Suites by
Hilton Louisville-East
Hula Grill Waikiki
IT Limo Corp. LLC
Jimmy Buffett’s Restaurant & Bar at
the Beachcomber Restaurant in Waikiki
Justice at Westfield Brandon
Kentucky Derby Museum
Kerzner International Resorts
Kp Digital Creations on Etsy
New York Marriott East Side
NVIDIA
Oceanarium Restaurant
at Pacific Beach Hotel
Orion NW Transportation Services
Orlando Medical Rentals
Paradise Cove Luau
Payless ShoeSource #4682
at Westfield Brandon
PBJandJ on Etsy
Sea Life Park Hawaii
Seattle Aquarium
Sheraton Waikiki
TFH USA Special Needs Toys
The Cheesecake Factory
at Royal Hawaiian Center
The Cheesecake Factory
at Westfield Brandon
The Florida Aquarium
The Southerly Post on Etsy
Thirty-One
VIP Trans Airport Shuttle Services
Waikiki Trolley
Welakahao Catamaran Inc.
Westfield Brandon
Wheelchair Transport Service
Woodland Park Zoo
Spa Khakara at the Sheraton Waikiki
Our most sincere thanks to these wonderful people, near and far, who have helped us
create memories that will last a lifetime for our dream children and their families.
Marissa was diagnosed with leukemia in December, of 2013. At the age of 8, she began to sing and write
music to help cope with her illness and treatment. This fall, Marissa will have her dream-come-true when
she meets Taylor Swift at her concert! Marissa was so inspired by the generosity of supporters who helped
make dreams come true for sick children that she wrote a song to thank all of our Dreammakers. The song is
available on iTunes with proceeds benefitting the Children’s Dream Fund. If you are in receipt of this newsletter,
you are a DreamMaker, and we dedicate the song to you!
Dreammaker
You pick me up when I am down
You cheer me up ‘cause I’m the one you found
You turn my frown upside down
Cause I’m tired of wearing this hospital gown
I hate being sick it makes me feel blue
Then you showed up and made my dream come true
I know there’s a lot of kids that agree
They need a dream, just like me.
(And I just wanna say) thank you for helping all the children in need of a
dream
Thank you, Dreammakers
We told you all our dreams and you made them come true
Because you are Dreammakers….
(and) I just wanna say, thank you!
Oh oh we all need a dream in life
Oh oh there’s so much we can do
Oh oh there’s a dream we can look forward to
Oh oh all thanks to you….
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Children’s Dream Fund
Find the song debut on YouTube at
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5TaiM5TpnE
Kids Who Care
The Kids Who Care program is a wonderful way for school-age children to make a dream come
true for a child battling a life-threatening illness. Similar to our Share the Dream program, the Kids
Who Care program allows participants to choose a child to sponsor. In the past, students have held
bake sales, homecoming fundraisers, dress-down days, sports tournaments and more!
If your school, team, club or organization wants to get involved and make dreams come true,
contact Amanda Griffin, [email protected], 727.896.6390.
Bay Vista Fundamental Walk-a-thon
Share the Dream
St. Pete High Kicks for Kids
Shorecrest Preparatory School
Spanish Club
Our Share the Dream Program is a wonderful way for you to make a child’s dream come
true. A gift of $1,000 or more is applied directly to a child’s dream, and you become that
child’s sponsor. You will receive not only our heartfelt thanks, but a photo of ‘your’ dream
child to share with family, friends, and colleagues, and the joy of knowing you have had a
lasting impact on the life of a sick child. We appreciate our Share the Dream sponsors!
David and Cynthia Allen
Tyler Johnson
Sam’s Club #4861
Atlantic Imaging
Keystone Community Church
Seize the Day Project Christmas – Sirius XM
Kevin and Christin Brennan
Rohom and Jennifer Khonsari
Barbara Smith
Bruck Family Foundation
Nick and Cathy Manna
Tampa Bay Business Owners Association
Catalina Marketing C.A.R.E. Team
Gifts in honor of Anna Sofia Maxson’s birthday
Tech Data Corporation
Children’s Dream Fund Music Festival
Kevin and Carolyn McNulty
Gifts in Memory of Aaron and Carl Tenbrock
Joe Ciocia
MicroRam Electronics Management Team
TJX Foundation/Marshall’s
DeBartolo Family Foundation
Gifts in memory of Nancy Lewis
Vine & Branches Beverage Brokers
Joseph and Janet Dent
John and Nancy Lamson
Walmart #1361
Diva Angels
Walter and Edith Loebenberg Foundation
Walmart # 4667
Nancy Fischer
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Menard
Wells Fargo Community Connection – Sarasota
Florida Municipal Bond Club
Mark and Tanya Ramos
WestCMR Philanthropic Committee
Girls Night to Give
Joseph Redinger
Enzo Wilson
First Housing Development Corporation
David Romine/Agile Thought
Fraternal Order of Elks Aerie 4351
Royal Maid Enterprises
Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival
St. Petersburg High School Kicks for Kids
Tom and Carol Hudson
St. Thomas More Men’s Club
7
Volunteers
We would like to thank our wonderful volunteers who so generously give
of their time and talents to our mission. Collectively, they help us make
a difference in the lives of the children we serve who are battling lifethreatening illnesses. We could not do it without you!
If you are interested in volunteering, visit our website:
www.childrensdreamfund.org/getinvolved
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Children’s Dream Fund
VERY Special Events...
MetLife Golf
Bayshore Little
League Opening Day
Elisa’s Greatest
Wishes
PAIA Fishing for Dreams
Tech Data Golf
www.childrensdreamfund.org
9
Rays on the Runway
10
Children’s Dream Fund
Thank you to our presenting sponsor, MetLife, the Rays Wives
organization and team, and everyone who made Rays on the Runway
such an incredible success! We are so happy to announce that with your
help, we raised over $130,000 to make children’s dreams come true!
PAIA Fun Fishing
Tournament
Still to Come...
Dreammaker Luncheon Join us in
2016 as we celebrate our mission of
making dreams come true and honor an
individual, or organization whose support
and contributions epitomize the term
“Dreammaker”. More information to come!
April 22, 2016
Magnuson Hotel/
Marina Cove Resort.
Hosted by the
Pinellas Association of Insurance Agents,
this annual tournament attracts hundreds
of anglers competing in both Offshore and
Inshore Divisions to make dreams come true
for children in our community.
Rays on the Runway Summer 2016
You won’t want to miss this high-energy
fashion show featuring the Tampa Bay Rays,
their wives and eight of our courageous
dream children! Stay tuned for more
information!
To sponsor an event in 2016, please contact
Amanda Griffin, Event Manager,
[email protected],
727-896-6390.
A little about the Children’s Dream Fund
•Founded in 1981 with one mission – to make dreams come
true for children with life-threatening illnesses
•Approximately 50% of dream expenses covered
by in-kind donations
•One of the oldest wish-granting organizations in the U.S.
•DOES NOT use telemarketers to raise funds
•Serves children ages 3 – 18 living in West Central Florida
•Grants age-appropriate dreams to every child referred
•Participates in Combined Federal Campaign,Florida State
Employee Charitable Campaign, & many corporate matching
grant programs
•Independent wish-granting organization; not affiliated with a
national organization
•Maintains Agency Endowment Fund with the Community
Foundation of Tampa Bay
•Over 84% of revenues directly to program expenses
•4-star rating, Charity Navigator
In Loving Memory
Michael Varisco
Devin Haisley
Donnie Heaton
Leaving a Legacy
Isaiah Douglas
Jaquan Holmes
Leoneez Toribio
Molly Little
Steven Geary
Tyler Gray
Create a lasting legacy that will continue well beyond your lifetime by leaving a
gift or bequest to the Children’s Dream Fund in your will or estate.
Call 727.896.6390 for more information.
www.childrensdreamfund.org
11
Annual Fund
For over 35 years, the Children’s Dream Fund has
never denied a sick child a dream-come-true. Your
gift to our Annual Fund sustains our program and
assures that we will be able to help every child
referred to us in the months to come.
To donate today, go to www.childrensdreamfund.org,
or mail your gift in the enclosed envelope.
Thank you!
Address Service Requested
P.O. BOX 1881
• ST. Petersburg, Florida 33731
St. Petersburg, FL 33731
Permit No. 792
PAID
U.S. Postage
Non Profit Organization