Charity News
Dream News:
The Dream Endowment would like to highlight charitable success stories to bring awareness to our own as well as our brother and sister organizations. Enjoy the magic that takes place when wishes are realized.
THE DREAM ENDOWMENTS FIRST ACT:
The Dream Endowment began its journey by helping one single father and his son by getting off the streets and into a home. Prior to focusing its efforts on children with severe illness and disabilities, the Dream Endowment started by fulfilling the birthday wish of young Ben and his father to get back into a home and back on track. The Dream Endowment organizers witnessed the power of true charity and began this new endeavor after only several weeks of strategizing. "It came together easily for us", Dream Endowment organizer Chris Williams said. "We had several business opportunities we were trying to cultivate and one of them fit perfectly with our charitable concept", said Williams. Both of the organizers of the Dream Endowment have children with disabilities and have dedicated many of their efforts toward raising money for children's organizations. "We have been down the charitable road before but never as the organizers of a non-profit" according to Mark White, Dream Endowment organizer. "We love what we do and we can't wait to get out there, spread the word, and watch this idea grow. We feel there are other great charities out there with similar undertakings but we want to separate ourselves by making it more accessible with less red tape", said White. The Dream Endowment would love to talk to anyone interested in donating time or money toward increasing awareness of this concept and anyone may contact them at www.dreamendowment.org for more information.
Area stores raise money for children's hospital
ST. GEORGE - Pam Thornberg of Hurricane has been helping raise money for the needy who receive care at Primary Children's Medical Center for the last 17 years, after her child passed away from cancer when having treatment at the Salt Lake City hospital."When we were there, the doctors and nurses there were so, so great," said Thornberg, who is on the Primary Children's Telethon executive board. "They don't turn children away. That's why I got involved."Primary Children's treats any child who comes through its doors, including those whose families don't have insurance or the cash to pay, Thornberg said Saturday during a fundraiser carnival for the hospital at the Bloomington Walmart on Pioneer Road.Walmart manager Kim Ennen said the company donates all the food, activities and space for the carnival, and has already collected more than $5,000 when adding the money donated inside the store. Donations will be collected through June 13."It's kind of a competition between all the Walmarts," Ennen said, noting the others have also raised close to $6,000.Local Rite-Aid locations are also part of the fundraiser, and Chevron stations will start collecting money this summer, Thornberg added.A telethon, which runs this week on Friday and Saturday, raises nearly $3 million every year to help cover the children's treatment, she said. Added to that is the amount donated annually by the hospital itself - Primary Children's paid for $12.3 million worth of care last year.The Children's Miracle Network is also part of the charity events, and any money that is donated to the network in Utah goes directly back to Utah hospitals, Thornberg said."A lot of our local kids go to Primary Children's," she said, noting many major procedures are not available in Southern Utah.Walmart employee Katrina Sayer said she came out to the carnival to support the hospital because her 14-year-old daughter received a kidney transplant there and is now doing very well.Sayer is a single mother raising children and having a hospital in the state that provided the right care for her daughter, McKenzie, was very important to her.Ennen said those who want to help can also attend a Zumba event on Saturday at the Bloomington Walmart, from 7 to 9 p.m., hosted by the store and Fuego House of Dance. Tickets are $5 and all the proceeds go to Primary Children's.
Win A Lambo For Charity
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho -- If you saw a lime green Lamborghini passing through eastern Idaho Friday, it could soon be yours. The founders of a Utah-based charity called Teamgive in partnership with Maverik will place the Lamborghini sometime in September with a lucky donor. They're touring western states like Idaho, Nevada and Montana to gain support for the charity which serves children with rare neurological diseases. Callahan Williams started Teamgive two years ago, after his daughter was diagnosed with a recessive genetic disease. "It's terminal in nature. We learned very quickly that there weren't a lot of options for children who are diagnosed with this disease or similar diseases," said Williams.