Since 2009, one of the ways the Jacksonville Bar Association celebrates Law Week each year is by hosting its Rendezvous on the Rooftop happy hour and raffle.
The evening for socializing took on a new philanthropic focus in 2010, the first year the JBA partnered with Dreams Come True, a Jacksonville-based nonprofit that fulfills the wishes of children facing a life-threatening illness.
The 2025 event was April 29 at Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant in Jacksonville Beach. Proceeds from ticket sales, sponsorships and a raffle of donated items will fund a grant presented to Dreams Come True.
Since its inaugural year, Rendezvous on the Rooftop has raised $33,493 and has sponsored 15 dreams: 11 trips to Walt Disney World, two puppies, a shopping dream and a trip to Atlantis Bahamas, Dreams Come Senior Director of Community Relations Andrea Siracusa said.
The Dreams Come True story began in 1984, when the late
Thomas McGehee, chairman of Mac Papers, and his wife, Delia, met a 17-year-old named George Lee who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Lee loved golf, so McGehee arranged for him to play with Fred Couples in the pro-am at The Players Championship.
Couples gave Lee his driver after play was concluded. When Lee died a year later, he was buried with the golf club.
McGehee realized the power of a dream fulfilled. Partnering with Barnett Bank Chairman Hugh Jones, Jay Stein and Jack Williams (Stein Mart), Roy Baker, chairman of the board of directors of University Medical Center and McGehee’s godson, Dr. Paul Wharton, they founded Dreams Come True.
“As we celebrate 40 years as Northeast Florida’s local dream granting organization, we are thankful for the amazing community partners who join with us to bring hope and joy to First Coast children and their families. We are honored to have a long-lasting relationship with the Jacksonville Bar Association and its amazing members,” Siracusa said.
The connection between the JBA and the nonprofit was formed by the advocacy of Fraz Ahmed, 2022-23 president of the JBA, who was a member of Dreams Come True’s young professionals group, the Horizon Board, from 2009 to 2014.
“Andrea, the board and Horizon Board go nonstop to fulfill the dreams of some of the bravest children you will ever meet. The fact that they are local and that there couldn’t be a more worthy cause made it an easy decision to partner with DCT to help them to continue to succeed at their mission,” Ahmed said.
Proceeds from the 2024 event fulfilled a dream for 5-year-old Emma, who received a Goldendoodle puppy. Born with a severe facial cleft, she cannot shut her eye all of the way and is partially blind.
“Emma’s new furry friend helps her through all their dark days and to celebrate the best days,” Siracusa said.
After this year’s final tally is complete, the JBA Law Week Committee and Dreams Come True staff will select this year’s recipient.
Children are referred to the nonprofit by Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Nemours Children’s Health, Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital and Community PedsCare, for example. Each child is matched with a donor based on the cost of the dream.
“It’s a great networking event for the JBA and a great supporter for us to help raise money for a kid’s dream,” Siracusa said.