Clinton News Record, 2015-04-08, Page 3M
aking dreams
come true
Clinton youth heading
to Disneyland thanks
to the Sunshine
Foundation
Mike Beitz
QM! Agency/For the News Record
Dreams can come true.
But it takes money, dedicated volun-
teers and plenty of community support.
The Stratford Huron Perth chapter of
the Sunshine Foundation had all three
of those things Friday at its annual Suit-
case Party fundraiser.
Some 260 people attended the event at
the Mitchell Community Centre to raise
money for the organization that makes
dreams come true for children with severe
disabilities or life-threatening illnesses.
"It was fantastic. We had a good
night," said Sherri Bell, president of the
local volunteer Sunshine chapter.
Final numbers aren't in yet, but she said
this year's total will hopefully match what
has been raised in the past - about $25,000.
This year's Suitcase Party was the 13th
annual, and Bell said a more than half of
the participants Friday were regulars.
"The people who come are family
and friends and neighbours, and they
know about the Sunshine Foundation
and the good that it does," she said.
Continued support from the commu-
nity, individual donors and generous
sponsors is what makes the event a suc-
cess every year, noted Bell.
The Suitcase Party featured entertain-
ment, food and prizes, as well as the
chance to win one of six dream getaways.
And there was also a special feature
this year.
"We presented a dream to a little
boy," said Bell.
Griffin, 10, who lives in Clinton, suffers
from severe epilepsy but will have the
opportunity to experience a bit of care-
free fun with his family on a Sunshine
Foundation -funded trip to Disney.
The presentation of that dream Fri-
day was meant to be a memorable
moment for Griffin, and a reminder to
supporters, said Bell.
"We just made it extra special for
him, and presented it in front of every-
body," said Bell, "so that everybody
there sees exactly where their money is
going, and how it's helping."
Others who have experienced Sun-
shine Dreams participated in the event
Friday, and one mother spoke about
the impact a dream has had on the fam-
ily after her son's was realized.
It's always emotional, said Bell.
Since it was founded in 1987, the Sun-
shine Foundation has fulfilled more than
7,000 dreams for children across Canada.
Whatever a child dreams
for, we will do everything
in our power to make
every little piece of that
dream possible
— Heidi Spannbauer
•
rrr*}C'IiLLFj 74;,
GrIrrk.
'MON • Ortr.mm Flight For
Taw aa+d Yaw ria brolly
Contributed photo
Ten -year-old Griffin, of Clinton, will be
going to Walt Disney World in Florida with
his family this year as part of the Sunshine
Foundation's dreams program. Griffin is
shown here with the Sunshine Bear and
Sunshine chapter member JoAnne Knetchel
at a Suitcase Party fundraiser in Mitchell.
Heidi Spannbauer, vice-president of
development and marketing for the
Sunshine Foundation of Canada, said
more than 100 dreams are granted each
year across Canada.
And they're all unique, customized
and tailored to young dreamers.
"Whatever a child dreams for, we will
do everything in our power to make
every little piece of that dream possi-
ble," said Spannbauer.
Griffin, for example, particularly
wants to chat with Mickey Mouse and
hug a dolphin while he's at Disney.
Local events like the annual Suitcase
Party, which has raised nearly $160,000
to date for the Sunshine Foundation,
help to make those dreams come true.
More information about the Sun-
shine Foundation can be found at www.
sunshine.ca
Wednesday, April 8, 2015 • News Record 3
Laura Broadley Clinton News Record
Plenty of Easter
Eggs to be found
at Kinsmen Park
The annual Easter Egg Hunt
was held on Saturday at
Kinsmen Park. Plenty of
young hunters had their
baskets ready to fill with
goodies.
I Ile CdSLer bunny was oll IldlIU Lo yreei everyone.
Nobody went home empty handed.
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS!
DEADLINES
Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows:
ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL
Friday @ 2:00 pm
Views Record
53 Albert St. S, Clinton
PH: 519-482-3443
www.clintonnewsrecord.com
OFFICE HOURS:
Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm
CLOSED TUESDAYS