KELOWNA – The corporate sponsor has changed, but the goal remains the same: sending sick children to Disneyland for the trip of a lifetime. The popular DreamLift Day fundraiser was launched by Wendy’s restaurants two decades ago. Last year, the local owner pulled the plug. The new sponsor, Papa John’s Pizza, held its first Dreams for Kids Day event Wednesday raising money by the slice.
“It’s just what it’s all about, it’s about the kids and giving them a once in a lifetime chance go somewhere,” says customer Jeremy Carlson.
Proceeds from the event will go towards helping make a fun day trip to Disneyland happen for special kids from our region.
“All the proceeds including staff wages at Papa John’s, all their staff are volunteering, will go towards programs through the Sunshine Foundation which includes a DreamLift and also individual dreams for kids all around this area,” says Nancy Sutherland, CEO of the Sunshine Foundation of Canada.
Papa John’s and the Sunshine Foundation of Canada are joining forces to send a Sunshine DreamLift plane to Disneyland from Kelowna in December. Sheriffs from Orange County in California will be helping to keep the kids safe.
“We are the benefactors of the generosity of the people of the valley because we get to spend the day with the kids,” says Captain Bob Peterson with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
For 20 years, the event was sponsored by Wendy’s, until last year when the new Okanagan owner announced he was cancelling the popular DreamLift Day fundraiser.
“These are children that need a break and we were really glad that Papa John’s corporate stepped up,” says Peterson.
With a new sponsor stepping in, dreams will continue to come true for the children who have a severe physical disability or a life threatening illness.
“They have a lot of challenges that they have to deal with but for that day those challenges go away, it’s just about the fun and they can just let it all go,” says Peterson.
Over 20 years, Wendy’s DreamLift Day raised about $1.4 million dollars to help send sick children from our area to Disneyland. Organizers say they need about $50,000 more to make the trip happen this year.
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