15/Jan/2009
Dreams Come True for Children in Louisiana
By Madeline Casey
If you could have one dream come true, what you wish for? Would you ask to go to Disney World? Maybe you’d like to see your favorite sports team, or just go on a shopping spree. Dreams Come True makes all these wishes and more come true for local children with life-threatening illnesses.
Granting Wishes
The nonprofit organization grants wishes for children between the ages of three and 21 who have been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. Dreams Come True’s mission is similar to many larger organizations, such as Make a Wish Foundation, but is completely independent and focused on children in our state.
Children all over the state of Louisiana are eligible to have their wishes granted by Dreams Come True, but most cases are located in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas. Some examples of dreams granted in the past are exotic trips, swimming pools, pets or electronics.
When a child applies to have a dream granted, the Board of Directors approves it and puts it into action. Nearly 40 children have their wishes granted each year.
According to Becky Prejean, public relations director the organization has “grown so much and will continue to expand.”
Humble Beginnings
In 1982, J.L. Nesmith and other families in Denham Springs heard about a child in the area recently diagnosed with cancer. They also found out that the boy had never eaten pizza before. The families decided to make his fragile life just a little bit better. The group contacted the police and fire departments to deliver pizza to this child for the first time in his life.
This act of kindness planted a seed of desire to continue helping children in need. These seven families provided all of the funding in order to continue granting the wishes of children like that first little boy.
Now Dreams Come True is dependent upon their community for volunteerism and donations. Prejean promises that every penny raised for the organization goes directly toward making a child’s life better.
Prejean became public relations director this year, but has been involved with the group for over a decade. She first heard about Dreams Come True from a friend involved in the organization more than 15 years ago. She invited Becky to attend a meeting.
Ever since that first meeting, Prejean has volunteered and served as treasurer and president during that time. During her second year as president, Dreams Come True hired her to help grant wishes full time.
Changing Lives Forever
According to Prejean, the most rewarding part of working for Dreams Come True is simply seeing children smile as their dreams are fulfilled.
“There are so many things we all take for granted, and these children put it in perspective for me. You would swear we are making miracles for them,” she said.
One child in particular comes to mind for Prejean. She recalls a 16-year-old boy, diagnosed with Metastatic Osteosarcoma, or bone cancer. His dream was similar to his favorite movie “Field of Dreams”: he wanted to stay in a luxury hotel and see the Chicago Cubs play at Wrigley Field.
Immediately following his interview, the boy’s mother informed Becky that he had fewer than two months to live. Prejean jumped into action.
With the help of Ryan Theriot, a former Louisiana State University baseball player who played for the Cubs, and the Chicago community, the 16-year-old boy’s came true.
The Sheraton Chicago Hotel paid for six nights in the hotel for the boy and his family. Theriot and the Cubs even let him throw the first pitch and sit in the dugout during the game. A company in Chicago also provided limousine rides to and from the games.
About a month after the family returned from Chicago, the child passed away.
How to Get Involved
Dreams Come True is still dependent upon members of the community for time, money or expertise.
Due to the nature of granting wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses, volunteers are always needed. To find out more information about Dreams Come True or how to make a difference, visit the Web site www.dctbrla.org or call (225) 346-4311.
By Madeline Casey
If you could have one dream come true, what you wish for? Would you ask to go to Disney World? Maybe you’d like to see your favorite sports team, or just go on a shopping spree. Dreams Come True makes all these wishes and more come true for local children with life-threatening illnesses.Granting Wishes
The nonprofit organization grants wishes for children between the ages of three and 21 who have been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. Dreams Come True’s mission is similar to many larger organizations, such as Make a Wish Foundation, but is completely independent and focused on children in our state.
Children all over the state of Louisiana are eligible to have their wishes granted by Dreams Come True, but most cases are located in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas. Some examples of dreams granted in the past are exotic trips, swimming pools, pets or electronics.
When a child applies to have a dream granted, the Board of Directors approves it and puts it into action. Nearly 40 children have their wishes granted each year.
According to Becky Prejean, public relations director the organization has “grown so much and will continue to expand.”
Humble Beginnings
In 1982, J.L. Nesmith and other families in Denham Springs heard about a child in the area recently diagnosed with cancer. They also found out that the boy had never eaten pizza before. The families decided to make his fragile life just a little bit better. The group contacted the police and fire departments to deliver pizza to this child for the first time in his life.
This act of kindness planted a seed of desire to continue helping children in need. These seven families provided all of the funding in order to continue granting the wishes of children like that first little boy.
Now Dreams Come True is dependent upon their community for volunteerism and donations. Prejean promises that every penny raised for the organization goes directly toward making a child’s life better.
Prejean became public relations director this year, but has been involved with the group for over a decade. She first heard about Dreams Come True from a friend involved in the organization more than 15 years ago. She invited Becky to attend a meeting.
Ever since that first meeting, Prejean has volunteered and served as treasurer and president during that time. During her second year as president, Dreams Come True hired her to help grant wishes full time.
Changing Lives Forever
According to Prejean, the most rewarding part of working for Dreams Come True is simply seeing children smile as their dreams are fulfilled.
“There are so many things we all take for granted, and these children put it in perspective for me. You would swear we are making miracles for them,” she said.
One child in particular comes to mind for Prejean. She recalls a 16-year-old boy, diagnosed with Metastatic Osteosarcoma, or bone cancer. His dream was similar to his favorite movie “Field of Dreams”: he wanted to stay in a luxury hotel and see the Chicago Cubs play at Wrigley Field.
Immediately following his interview, the boy’s mother informed Becky that he had fewer than two months to live. Prejean jumped into action.
With the help of Ryan Theriot, a former Louisiana State University baseball player who played for the Cubs, and the Chicago community, the 16-year-old boy’s came true.
The Sheraton Chicago Hotel paid for six nights in the hotel for the boy and his family. Theriot and the Cubs even let him throw the first pitch and sit in the dugout during the game. A company in Chicago also provided limousine rides to and from the games.
About a month after the family returned from Chicago, the child passed away.
How to Get Involved
Dreams Come True is still dependent upon members of the community for time, money or expertise.
Due to the nature of granting wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses, volunteers are always needed. To find out more information about Dreams Come True or how to make a difference, visit the Web site www.dctbrla.org or call (225) 346-4311.
