It’s been sending sick children from the Okanagan on a magical trip to Disneyland for almost two decades now. But the annual Wendy’s Dreamlift Day is being cancelled.
The local Dreamlift Day fundraiser started back in 1995. When the local franchise was sold in June, 2012, many people wondered what it would mean for its future. But the new owner vowed to keep it going.
“I’m very blessed to be part of this event and this wonderful community where support has been overwhelming year after year so this will continue until I own the company and will go on forever,” said owner Ken Park in January, 2014.
Now Park has had a change of heart. While he admits it was a difficult decision, Park says after 20 years, it’s time for a change.
“We decided to shift our charitable giving to align with the 51 Wendy’s Restaurant in B.C. supporting the Dave Thomas Foundation for adoption,” says Park.
Former Wendy’s owner and founder of Dreamlift day John Tietzen says he’s saddened by the news but says it’s reality.
“It is a letdown but you know there is nothing static in business and things change,” says Tietzen adding he’s focusing on all the good that came out of the last 20 years.
“I’m thinking of the kids that benefitted, the sense of community. When this event first started it was like a Wendy’s event, it became a community event and we became the caretakers of it, “ says Tietzen.
While there won’t be a Dreamlift Day anymore, the local franchise owner still plans on holding a similar one day event every year where all proceeds will go to helping B.C. children but this time it’s children in foster care looking to be adopted.
“I hope our community still can support us, it is for a good cause, it is for children in foster care,” says Park.
Wendy’s worked closely with the Sunshine Foundation of Canada to put on the Disneyland trip. We contacted the organization to get its reaction to the news but our calls were not returned.
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