September 2021: Golf Galore, The Dream Big Coffee, and #D4D3!
September is Childhood Cancer & Leukodystrophy Awareness month, and while childhood brings many experiences - cancer should not be one of them.
Throughout September we introduced you to a few of our incredible Dream Kids fighting these tough battles. Through social media, our community of Dream Makers shared countless messages of strength, courage, and hope!
At The Dream Factory our goal is to be a source of joy, laughter and hope for kids and families in our province going through an incredibly difficult experience. Messages of support like the ones you shared throughout this month are a big part of that - we could not be more appreciative!
Check out The Newest Issue of The Dreamer!
This past month also saw the launch of our newest issue of The Dreamer (our twice yearly newsletter!).
Click the button below to read about Kayne and his brand new playset, Malachi and his special Bat Cave, and about how an incredible group of cyclists rallied behind Dream Kids Aria and Brie. Thank you for supporting the dreams of these special kids fighting tough battles right here in Manitoba.
The 4th Annual Josh Morrissey Classic Raises $134,980!
Thank you to everyone who joined us on September 10th for our 4th Annual Josh Morrissey Classic, presented by Exchange Income Corporation!
Golfers enjoyed an absolutely beautiful day at Pine Ridge Golf Club, and we’re thrilled to announce that $134,980 was raised to help make dreams come true for Manitoba kids battling life-threatening illnesses!
A huge thank you goes out to our sponsors, donors, committee members, & volunteers for making the day a success! There are so many people responsible for making a day like this possible, and thanks to you, more dreams will come true for some amazing Dream Kids!
Deadlifts for Dreams 3: Our Biggest Deadlifts Yet!
Pictured: Together, over 30 lifters came together to raise more than $31,000 in support of The Dream Factory and kids like Jasmine.
Pictured: Dream Kid Jasmine safely attempts her first ever deadlift at the 3rd annual Deadlifts for Dreams event on September 11th!
IT’S A DEADLIFTS RECORD: With 34 lifters and over $31,000 raised - it’s no question that this year’s Deadlifts for Dreams event (#D4D3) was our biggest yet.
September 11th was a beautiful day for safe, outdoor lifting - all in support of Jasmine and her dream come true. In fact, Jasmine even showed the lifters her strength by taking on a deadlift of her own! ⠀
We want to take a moment to thank our absolutely incredible community of lifters - who every year raise the bar (pun intended!) on what is possible at this event. Since 2019, Deadlifts for Dreams has raised over $80,000 for The Dream Factory and has brought countless dreams to life in the process. ⠀
A special shout out to our top fundraiser - Curtis Martens, who raised over $3500 for the event. We also want to recognize Iron Age Strength and Robert Blanchette, who each raised $2500+. ⠀
Our thanks also go out to our event sponsors: Beakley Mobile Fitness, Bigg Smoak BBQ, Herc’s Nutrition Regent, HUB Manitoba, Confusion Corner Drinks and Food, Manitoba Egg Farmers, Rihal Digital Designs, Indus Automation, MDM Sand and Gravel, Mississippi Jacks, Performance Healthware, Red River Siding and Eavestroughs, White Lion Athletics, Wawanesa, and Zueike
Deadlifts for Dreams would not be possible without the event’s fearless leader and organizer - Dave Beakley. Dave spent hours working to make this year’s event a success, and his hard work does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. We also recognize our new friend Devin at Training Grounds Gym for helping us take this year’s event to the next level. ⠀
Finally, we want to thank Dream Kid Jasmine and her family for being so generous with their time, their story, and for inspiring everyone who lifted this year in support of Jasmine’s dream and The Dream Factory. ⠀
The Deadlifts for Dreams team is already excited to get started on Deadlifts for Dreams 4 (#D4D4) next year! Stay tuned for a few more updates + a video of this year’s meet before we get started on making more dreams come true!
Steinbach Realtors Raise $10,000 in Support of The Dream Factory!
Last month, our friends at the Steinbach Realtors held their annual golf tournament, now its third year of supporting The Dream Factory and Dream Kids from the Steinbach area.
This year’s tournament was in support of Dream Kid Marek - who is dreaming big about visiting a beach to swim with dolphins as soon as it is safe to do so. Marek is an incredible young man battling a high-risk leukemia. He loves frogs, being outdoors, and monster trucks!
This year’s tournament raised an incredible $10,000 - which will directly help to ensure that Marek’s dream can come true as soon as he’s ready, and it’s safe to do so!
To Ashley, Eddy, and the whole team at the Steinbach Realtors - thank you for helping bring yet another dream to life for a Dream Kid in Steinbach. We appreciate everything that you do for us!
Pictured: Dream Kid Marek gave the Steinbach Realtors tournament a “thumbs up” and had a great day on the course meeting the golfers and seeing what it was all about!
Dream BIG! Harrison’s Coffee Launches A New Blend to make Dreams Come True!
What’s better than coffee?! Our new friends at Harrison’s Coffee have recently launched the “DREAM BIG” blend in support of The Dream Factory and more Dreams come true.
The Dream Big blend is a signature blend whole bean coffee that is sure to be a dream come true!
You can purchase from any Harrison’s Coffee location - or if you stop by Made Here, you can pick up our coffee and candy bundle; that also includes Bon Bon Bark’s handcrafted candy!
Get yours today! Shop in-store at Made Here, online at www.madeheremb.com or at any Harrisons Coffee Co. location!
Meet A Dream Maker: Vida Balciunas
She has been in our Dream Kid’s corner by the way of various events, initiatives, and as the presenting supporter of our Dream Kid’s welcome packages.
Vida is a retired psychiatric nurse who has always been a patient advocate. She continues to spend time volunteering and supporting organizations and puts her whole heart into every activity she does. Vida believes that we must give back to our communities in whatever way we can to help restore peace and harmony with our neighbours, friends, and sometimes people we have never met.
Kindness does not have boundaries in her world. Although her studies and career as a nurse took her out to the West Coast, a big piece of her heart (and her whole family!) remains here in Winnipeg, and we are so grateful she is part of our Dream Community!
