by David Chapman
Staff Writer
The only things more abundant than the cake and ice cream at the Dreams Come True 25th Anniversary celebration Sunday were the smiles and shared stories of the families who were there.
More than 450 people attended the silver anniversary of the nonprofit organization that assists children with life threatening situations fulfill their wishes. Many of the guests were children who have benefited from the organization’s cause, their families and community members who support its mission.
“We tried to invite all of our friends,” said Karen Brune Mathis, Dreams Come True executive director. “We’ve all really been looking forward to this for a long time.”
Mathis said preparation took months and credited Joanna Blinn, Dreams Come True director of program development, for pulling it all together. Blinn credited members of the community for stepping up, with everything from the Omni venue space to the Dipper Dan’s Ice Cream donated by supporters.
“It’s incredible how many people stepped up,” said Blinn.
One of the nearly 300 families to attend the celebration was the family of J. T. Townsend, who suffered a debilitating spinal cord injury while playing high school football in 2004. Dreams Come True helped Townsend realize his dream of meeting NBA big man Shaquille O’Neal, a day Townsend said he wouldn’t forget and an experience he knows others have felt because of the organization.
“Today is just a celebration for everyone,” said Townsend. “They (Dreams Come True) make a difference.”
Townsend’s mother, Carmen, is thankful for the work of the organization as well.
“During (the) suffering they help give you something to look forward to,” she said. “It means a lot to the children and their families.”
Townsend is one of the almost 2,400 individuals Dreams Come True has assisted over the past 25 years. Mathis said the 2,400th dream should be realized in the early spring, while the 2,500th is tentatively on track to be fulfilled in late 2009.
Laine Silverfield, former longtime Dreams Come True executive director, attended the event and noted how the children, families, volunteers, officials and anyone and everyone associated with the organization tend to stay around.
“You don’t really ever leave (Dreams Come True),” said Silverfield. “You are with them and a part of them for life.”
Silverfield remains as enthusiastic as ever about the organization but said celebrating its 25th year seemed odd and the time really flew by for her.
“It seems like it happened just yesterday,” she said. “It feels like the blink of an eye.”
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