May 2025 Newsletter

Welcome to our third newsletter of 2025. We have news of the first Dreams Come True grants, our spring sweepstakes just wrapped up, and details of how you can help the Foundation help more families in need this year.

Dreams Come True Grants

The Foundation has made its first round of grants to families whose applications met our criteria. Program Manager Aimee spoke to all the parents directly, often with a few tears (on both sides!). While our limited pool of money did not always allow us to grant the exact cruise requested, everyone is extremely excited for their adventures to come. Being respectful of each families privacy, we will be sharing reports with testimonials and photos after their vacations have finished.

We are grateful to all our donors and Dream Makers that made this possible, especially the hotel chains that stepped up with free rooms for the grant families:

• Hampton Inn Blue Lagoon, Miami.

• Hyatt House, Baltimore

• Home2Suites, Galveston

• Residence Inn, Bayonne

The family funds for the Charlie Grant, Love Like Caroline and Sammy's Swim Grant also generously supported these vacations.

With the proceeds from our recent sweepstakes fundraiser we are now commencing our second round of grant reviews. Families who applied back in March should watch their email in the coming weeks!

Sweepstakes Fundraiser

The first prize of a $5,000 cruise voucher was won by Todd M. of North Carolina. Congratulations to them and all the runners-up. A huge thank you to everyone who entered and our donors who came forward with prizes. This was our biggest year yet, with nearly $23,000 raised for our Dreams Come True Grants.

Gifts In Memoriam, paying it forward

We are grateful to the family and friends of Helen Wheeler of New Jersey, who donated over $700 in her memory in lieu of flowers at her service last week. Their impact will be tangible, this can fly a family to their dream vacation or cover the service fee for a 1-to-1 assistant.

Ways you can help our Foundation grow

Our new website contains additional ways you can help the Foundation and the families we serve. As well as year-round options such as Facebook fundraisers or Employee Giving programs, we hold four major events each year: Little Cesars, Sweepstakes, Double Good Popcorn and Holiday Gift Cards. We accept check payments mailed to our head office and we accept online payments using our DONATE button on any page. Every donation counts, nothing is too small and will help families in need.

Some of the amazing flavor available in our upcoming Popcorn fundraiser with Double Good

Thank you for reading, we will be back after the summer with news of the Double Good fundraiser and the next round of grants made.