Who would have dreamed 18 years ago, when Wendy’s Dreamlift Day started with one restaurant and raised $10,500, that it would grow to raise $114,276 in a single day? That was this year’s total. But then, who could have imagined the “magic” that happens on the last Wednesday every January in the Southern Interior of B.C.?
It can’t be said enough: I truly don’t know of any philanthropic gesture that matches these nine Wendy’s. To donate everything for the day — all their wages, salaries and profits is unheard of.
This year was very special — topping $1 million raised over the 18 years. Wendy Thomas herself and seven Orange County Sheriff representatives flew in to help celebrate this milestone. It truly is a milestone, not only in the amount raised, but also in how the event is self-sustaining. It doesn’t just keep going; it keeps growing.
The result, as you all know, is that there will be a planeload of very special kids who get to fly to see Minnie and Mickey every other year. Wow! (The last left Kelowna on Dec. 6, with excitement flowing everywhere.)
And it’s all because of all of you. For some of you, it involved a very long wait to support our charity. Excitedly announcing “I’ve been here from the third year,” or “I’ve been here from …”
To the volunteers who came in to flip hamburgers (and other jobs), thank you. And to all the media for your wonderful support delivering messages before, during and after the event, a big thank you.
So this note of thanks is to you all from a lot of very special kids. Many have already had their dream come true, and many more will in the future.
Steven Tuck, past-president
Sunshine Foundation B.C. Interior Chapter
