32 years of turnings dreams into a reality
Parnell was inspired to start Reach For A Dream after reading an article by the Make A Wish Foundation in the USA.
The Reach For A Dream Foundation celebrates 32 years of turning dreams into a reality.
Founded by Owen Parnell in 1988, the foundation encourages children to use their dreams to fight life-threatening illness. Parnell was inspired to start Reach For A Dream after reading an article by the Make A Wish Foundation in the USA.
The very first dream by young JC Steinman was granted on 7 July 1988. JC was treated to a wonderful birthday celebration with rides on a pony and a motorcycle. From then on, the journey of dream fulfillment began. The foundation was officially named in 1991 with its core purpose defined as ‘fulfilling the dreams of children of any race, colour and creed between the ages of three and 18 faced with a life-threatening illness’.
The foundation has since fulfilled more than 20 000 dreams.CEO Julia Sotirianakos said this year had brought about a number of unprecedented challenges for the foundation, the toughest it had been in 32 years.
“We are not [able to] engage with our beautiful children at a time they need us the most,” she added.
The reality of Covid-19 has meant that Reach For A Dream cannot move freely and get access to the children in need in the various hospitals. “This has really been a difficult period for all of us at the foundation but my hope is that we may learn the lessons of this time and that we will continue to cherish our 32-year-old foundation in the years to come.”
For the month of July, Reach For A Dream would like to invite and encourage the community to participate in its Dream Boosters Campaign which kicked off on 7 July. Launched by international advertising agency TBWA and 5FM, the Dream Boosters Campaign aims to help make dreams come true. “The first dreamer is Sihle who wants to be a chef and in the weeks to come, 5FM will be airing a dream a week and encouraging the public to boost the dreams of Reach For A Dream children in waiting,” she said.
Anyone can become a ‘dream booster’ by heading to the easy-to-use donation platform www.dreambooster.co.za
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the foundation over the years and for believing in Reach For A Dream and our children during this difficult time.”
Details: www.reachforadream.org.za
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