Watch: Dreams take flight – Billy Shields reports
DORVAL – About 180 kids with special needs reunited with members of the Dreams Take Flight program to celebrate the holidays.
The program started 19 years ago and is run by Air Canada’s charity wing.
Participants are selected by 40 support agencies around Montreal to spend a day at Disney World.
This year, they left on the morning of Nov. 6 and came back that evening. The holiday party serves as a reunion of sorts for a group that only got together for one time.
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“We get to see them again because we miss them,” said Marta Peinado, a volunteer.
Many special needs children often don’t get the chance to enjoy trips due to insurance concerns, travel costs, and other factors.
The program offers children in need a chance to enjoy themselves, that they may not get otherwise.
“In the beginning, he was scared he had to travel alone,” said Baraa Emad, whose seven-year-old son travelled to Orlando this year.
“But when he came back he said, ‘Mom, I am big!’ He was so proud of himself. It was fun.”
Participants are screened by the support agencies to determine eligibility.
“Every kid that comes on this trip deserves to come,” said Brian Roscoe, of Dreams Take Flight.
“Unfortunately we never run out of children.”
The Air Canada Foundation is now looking ahead to the 20th anniversary of the program.
Next year’s trip is supposed to last for two days instead of one.
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