WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Lois Capps joined local veteran and dream recipient George “Ray” West in attending the Dream Foundation’s public launch of its Dreams for Veterans program in Washington, D.C. The Dreams for Veterans program serves our nation’s heroes by giving back to terminally ill veterans and their families through the fulfillment of a final dream. Photos of Capps meeting with Mr. West and speaking at the event can be found here and here.
West is an 89-year-old U.S. Navy veteran who served as Seaman 3rd Class, Ships Mate from 1944 -1946. He lives in Santa Barbara with his family and has been diagnosed with both leukemia and heart disease. West’s dream of enjoying a trip to the Yosemite Valley with his wife, son and daughter-in-law, was fulfilled in May 2015. The trip came 65 years after Mr. West and his wife, Jean, first honeymooned in Yosemite in 1950.
“Dreams for Veterans offers truly heartwarming acts of gratitude to those who have given so much to our country,” Capps said. “I have long admired the Dream Foundation’s work, and I am so inspired by their efforts to give back to terminally ill veterans and their families.”
When asked about their dream to Yosemite…Jean West, his wife said: “It meant the world to us! We honeymooned there in 1950 and fell in love with the area. We built a cabin there and from 1950 to 1999 we stayed in our cabin at least one day every month for 49 years. It was our home away from home where we raised our children. We didn’t think we would ever be able to return, but Dream Foundation gave us the opportunity to return home! And create even more memories!” Ray added, “Yosemite is a wonderland of God’s work.” When asked about his upcoming trip to DC, Ray said…“I am excited to experience something new, the opportunity to meet the dignitaries that will be at the launch, and visits the memorials that share so much of our history.”
“After more than 20 years and 20,000 dreams served throughout all 50 states, it is more special than ever knowing Dream Foundation began and has always had its home base right here in Santa Barbara,” said Kisa Keyer, Dream Foundation Executive Director. “The importance this community and people like Lois Capps place on the role of a dream in the palliative care continuum, particularly for veterans, is of the utmost importance to us. We are overjoyed that Santa Barbara’s own Mr. Ray West will be traveling to D.C. with his son David for the public launch of Dreams for Veterans and thank Capps and her team for their support.”
To date, Dreams for Veterans has served more than 100 dreams to veterans and plans to expand to more than 600 over the next few years. The Dream Foundation is headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA and has fulfilled 20,000 dreams to terminally ill participants nation-wide.
Santa Barbara, CA– Dream Foundation—the only national dream-granting organization for adults and their families battling life-threatening illness—will fulfill lifelong animal lover Reba Reeves’ dream by bringing a petting zoo to the nursing home where she resides.
The 86-year-old Phenix City resident—who has a life expectancy of approximately six months— wants nothing more than to spend time with some animals in her final days.
On Thursday, June 4th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Parkwood Health Care, 3301 Stadium Dr., Phenix City, Reeves and her fellow residents will enjoy a petting zoo provided by Jubilee Farm. Media is invited to attend.
According to Reeves’ Gentiva Hospice social worker, Keldin Jones, who referred her request to Dream Foundation, Reeves grew up in the country with the constant comfort of animals. “Whenever I visit her,” she says, “she asks to see animals and to return to the country.”
Since her illness and prognosis preclude her from doing so, Jones suggested the next best thing would be to bring the animals to her.
According to Dream Foundation Executive Director Kisa Heyer, Reeves’ dream conveys the simplicity of many requests the Foundation receives. “A dream for an adult is often a humble request,” Heyer says. “At the end of the day, it’s about experiencing a long lost love, and creating deep and meaningful memories.”
Dream Foundation—the only national dream-granting organization for adults and their families battling life-threatening illness—is partnering with cutting-edge local swimwear designer, Danielle Rocha of Rocha Swim, to host Summer Dream, a swimwear runway show event aimed at engaging young adults in the mission of Dream Foundation and raising funds to help make dreams come true.
Press are invited to attend the event:
Summer Dream Swimwear Runway Show
5-8 p.m., Thursday June 4th
Aperture Collection and Cabana Home
(120 Santa Barbara St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101)
One-hundred percent of proceeds raised will be earmarked to serve the dreams of applicants in their twenties.
“About 11% of our dream recipients are between the ages of 18 and 35,” says Kisa Heyer, Dream Foundation Executive Director. “Their dreams range from basic needs items like laptops and tablets to stay connected with family and friends, to the opportunity to meet a personal hero or experience a rite of passage such as a graduation or prom.”
Summer Dream will feature a runway show by Rocha Swim, as well as fashion from other local designers including CA Makes, Studio 399 Jewelry, Make Smith, Lisa Sands Design, and Chapala & Parker. On hand serving up burgers and bites will be the mobile Carl’s Jr. ® Star Diner. There will be live performances by Danny Winter and DJ IDEX, as well as a raffle, wine and beer.
According to event chair Arlene Montesano, “It is exciting to be working with a talented young designer like Danielle Rocha, who has channeled her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit into giving back to the community. This is going to be the first event of its kind for Dream Foundation and we are working hard to make it a great success.”
Raffle tickets—for prizes including beauty and fitness packages, as well as a 3-night stay at the Four Seasons Punta Mita Resort in Mexico—are also available for purchase at the same link: $10 each or 6 for $50. Presence at event not required to win.
Summer Dream event sponsors include Blue Star Parking, Cabana Home, Carl’s Jr.®, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Don and Susan Kang, Jim Nigro, Eric and Nina Phillips, Walter Claudio Salon Spa, SpaceNK Apothecary.
Dream Foundation maintains a 4-star Charity Navigator rating (the highest rating) for sound fiscal responsibility and has never turned away a qualified dream request.
CARPINTERIA, Calif.— CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., parent company of Carl’s Jr.® and Hardee’s® restaurants, kicks off its fifth annual Stars for Heroes™ fundraising campaign this week at participating locations. The program, which has raised more than $3.5 million since its inception in 2011, harnesses the compassion and generosity of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s customers, franchisees and employees to rally behind the nation’s active-duty military, veterans and their families. Funds raised during this year’s campaign will support national charity partners, Dream Foundation’s Dreams for Veterans program and USA Cares, as well as dozens of regional and local military-focused charities in the communities in which Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s serve.
The 2015 Stars for Heroes fundraising campaign begins today and runs through June 16. To participate, restaurant guests donate $1 in support of military charities. For each $1 donation, guests receive a commemorative “I support military veterans and families” patriotic star-shaped cut-out to personalize and display in the restaurant. They also receive restaurant coupons valued at more than $10 to use toward future purchases.
“Supporting our nation’s military heroes is part of our heritage at Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s and a proud tradition that’s close to our hearts, our franchisees and our customers who donate year after year,” said Andy Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants. “Last year we raised more than $1.1 million to support the crucial work of USA Cares, Dream Foundation and regional charities across the country, and this year, we hope to top that in a big way. As we celebrate Memorial Day and honor the service of our brave men and women in uniform, we invite everyone to stop by their neighborhood Carl’s Jr. or Hardee’s location, show their patriotism and donate.”
“We are honored to continue our partnership with CKE as well as Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s franchisees for the annual Stars for Heroes campaign,” said Kisa Heyer, executive director of Dream Foundation and its Dreams for Veterans program. “Last year’s campaign helped Dream Foundation fund the final dreams of 114 deserving veterans. We are grateful for the generosity, dedication and compassion of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s crew members, customers and franchisees across the country, which enables us to continue to support veterans suffering from life-threatening illness.”
“Since 2011, our continued partnership with CKE Restaurants has become invaluable in providing services to active duty soldiers, veterans, Guard and Reserve members and their families,” said Peter Giusti, president of USA Cares. “We are humbled by the generosity and support we have received from Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. and its franchisees, employees and loyal customers over the years. Every dollar makes a difference and helps us continue to serve our nation’s heroes who’ve so selflessly served us.”
Since 2011, the Stars for Heroes program has supported more than 60 U.S. military charities nationwide. Stars for Heroes is made possible through generous contributions by CKE’s franchise community – The Independent Hardee’s Franchise Association (IHFA) and Star Franchise Association (SFA) – along with company employees and loyal customers. Private donations and in-kind support are provided by CKE partners and suppliers including KDM POP Solutions Group. To learn more about the Stars for Heroes national beneficiaries, visit their websites at www.dreamfoundation.org and www.usacares.org.
Santa Barbara, CA—Dream Team Council (DTC), a volunteer student leadership group that offers program support to Santa Barbara based non-profit Dream Foundation, will present Dreaming A Difference, a benefit showcase for Dream Foundation on Saturday, May 23rd at the Marjorie Luke Theatre. The event features rising singer-songwriter Cody Lovaas—who, at the age of sixteen, has toured and opened for Jason Mraz—as well as performances by local high school students. All proceeds from this showcase will benefit Dream Foundation, the only national dream-granting organization for adults and their families facing life-threatening illness.
“We are so impressed by how active and passionate these students are about helping others and giving back,” says Kisa Heyer, Dream Foundation Executive Director. “It is so important that our youth are engaged in causes that are meaningful to them. We are grateful for all the hard work DTC has been doing to provide opportunities for their peers to learn about and get involved with Dream Foundation.”
Press are invited to attend:
Dreaming A Difference: A Benefit Showcase for Dream Foundation
Saturday, May 23rd
Marjorie Luke Theatre (721 E. Cota St. Santa Barbara, CA 93103)
Doors open at 6:30pm/Show starts at 7:00pm
DTC regularly organizes school functions such as Flower Empower bouquet-making, toy drives and other events at their schools to support the dream-granting mission of Dream Foundation. This showcase, which is entirely student-produced by DTC, will be the largest event they have ever put on.
“It has been such an experience to work with leaders from other high schools to put together this benefit showcase,” says DTC Co-President Celyne Demonteverde. “And getting to work with a talented young artist like Cody Lovaas really demonstrates how much we can already accomplish together at our age.”
DTC’s goal is for the showcase to not only raise awareness and funding for Dream Foundation, but also to highlight the great opportunities available for other students to get involved in community service and student leadership.
CARPINTERIA, Calif.—