Volunteers and Sponsors for Dreams Take Flight

~“Volunteer—not so you can build your resume, but so you can build yourself.”~

The Dreams Take Flight program is a big part of Dream Makers mission. Every year a group of deserving children are whisked away to Florida for the day to spend time with Mickey and friends at Disney World. The party begins at the Air Canada Hangar, where they are met by celebrities, media and radio shows.

~Volunteers don't get paid, not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless. ~

The inaugural trip, aboard a DC-9 aircraft, carried 68 children along with 32 adult escorts to Walt Disney World. The Children were chosen by ten charities throughout the Toronto area based on the criteria set out by the organizers. Last year they had 56 organizations from across Ontario, one from Buffalo, New York and a total group numbering well OVER 400.

~“A volunteer is worth twenty pressed men”~

Organizers who choose the children based on specific criteria selected the agencies, service clubs, and charities participating. The children must be between the ages of six and twelve, come from disadvantaged situations, challenged physically or mentally, currently afflicted with a life threatening illness and never been to Walt Disney World before. A child's health is not a factor as long as they are fit for travel. Children who meet the parameters set out by Dreams Take Flight travel on a case-by-case basis.

~You may not have saved a lot of money in your life, but if you have saved a lot of heartaches for other folks, you are a pretty rich man. ~

The monies raised for the trip are used for admission to the park, spending money, customs fees, insurance and amenities for the children. Any money left over is used for the following year’s flight. A majority of the funds raised throughout the year come from an annual gala, golf tournaments, auctions, Pasta Dinner, Comedy Nite, and many personal and corporate donations.

~Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.~

We the volunteers of Dreams Take Flight are all committed to keeping the dream alive and will strive to make it bigger and better every year for as many special children as we possibly can.