Puppets - help put on a happy face

Today we have received, all the way from California, a large shipment of animal puppets from Folkmanis. A company based in California that produces high end puppets. Volunteers will now be given the opportunity to dress completely in black and make one of these creatures come to life on June 4th, 2009, 4:00am, at the Air Canada Hangar for the children who will be visiting Disney.

These puppets are a hit already. We will also send 10 volunteers to the hotel where the children from out town will be staying the day before the June 4th, 2009 flight.

We are in talks with other large organizations about the possibility of practicing at their location. (I can't really go into detail about this one yet.) We are making arrangements to visit Parklane School as well as local hospital with these puppets. All the children seem to levitate to these furry creatures. What a magical feeling.

A very special thank you to all our wonderful friends at Folkmanis in California. They were very generous.

Special thanks to Elaine who was a pleasure to work with and shares a passion to help children no matter where in the world they may live. This will be our 20th Anniversary and we are sure to be a hit with the puppets. Visit them at their website, you will be impressed with the quality and cuteness of these high end puppets.

www.folkmanis.com

If you have any questions regarding volunteering with a puppet, please contact Keith Petty at keithp000@sympatico.ca

Mario Barone

President/Founder

Dream Makers

The Messengers of Good News

This post was written by Keith Petty ~ Volunteer of Dreammakers

On Wednesday March 11^th Silvia Modugno and Keith Petty of Dreammakers visited Park Lane School. The reason for the visit was to meet the four youngsters that we are sponsoring for the Dreams Take Flight event on June 4^th 2009. Each of the children was given either a Mickey Mouse or Minnie Mouse in recognition of their trip to be.

.

We were greeted by the Principal Susan Adaskin, and introduced to the three of the children, Liban, Abergail, and Heidi; Grace unfortunately was absent that day.

To put it mildly the kids were excited. The visit deeply affected both Sylvia and myself; it was something that all of us should be privileged to experience.

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.

Annual Charity Golf Tournament

On Saturday May 23, 2009, we will be hosting our 2^nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament in support of Dream Makers. This will take place once again at the Bear Creek Golf Club in Barrie. Registration for the event is $125 per person (or $500 per 4-some). Deadline for registration is Friday May 1^st. Registration forms will soon be available on the SCS “P” drive only. Those who attended last year had a great time (except for the rain).

Please start thinking about your 4-somes. If you want to come and golf but don’t have a 4-some, please submit your name to be put on a team. It would be appreciated if payment for each golfer is submitted along with the registration form. (If you are the one filling out the registration form for your 4-some you must collect the funds and submit for the 4-some). Cash would be the preferred form of payment as we need to pay the Club the day of the event. If you absolutely must pay by cheque please make it payable to Dream Makers.

Hole sponsorship is $125 per hole with 100% being donated directly to Dream Makers. I am challenging all Platoons as well as Management to sponsor a hole. Last year, even the recruit class sponsored a hole.

Registration will start at 9:00 a.m. Our goal is to have enough players to have a Shotgun Start which will begin at 12:00 noon. Tee assignments will be handed out the day of the tournament when you register. However, if we do not have enough players for a Shotgun start we will have to go to a random start. If a random start is required, schedules of your tee-off times will be provided prior to May 23^rd as well as a copy available at the registration desk the day of the event.

Canadian Tire money donations are still being accepted. This will help in the purchase of prizes for the tournament.

I will also gladly accept any donations/gifts that can be used as door prizes, raffles or silent auction.

Please forward your names to either Fiona or myself as soon as possible. Should you have any questions do not hesitate to contact either Fiona or myself.

Thanks

Fern Taillefer

Staff Sergeant - Planning

TTC Special Constable Services

Email: fern.taillefer@ttc.ca

Tel: 416-393-2082

Fax: 416-338-0116