Dreams take flight

By Air Canada

"Dreams take flight" is a non-profit organization made up of volunteers from the Air Canada family. Teams in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Los Angeles and Tampa each organize the trip of a lifetime for physically, mentally or socially challenged children. The destination - Disney World, Florida or Disneyland, California - for a day. Air Canada donates the aircraft and the employees do the rest. The adventure is funded through fundraising efforts, corporate sponsors and donations. In 1989, 70 children with special needs boarded a special charity flight in Toronto and traveled to Orlando, Florida to spend a magical day at Disney World. Since that inaugural Dream flight, over 20,000 children with special needs have enjoyed the magic of Disney thanks to the efforts of Air Canada volunteers - employees and retirees. Brian Roscoe, President of Dreams Take Flight, Montreal Chapter, explains “this year will mark the 16th anniversary of Dreams Take Flight in Montreal, it was almost 17 years ago that we first started fundraising to fill our first aircraft with “special” kids and take them to the most magical place on earth, Walt Disney World. Worried that we would not find enough needy children and we would not be able to fill that first aircraft, I learned that every year there are more and more children who could benefit from our program and that we would never run out of children to help.” Brian also explains how times have changed in our efforts of fundraising. “Fundraising was much different for us in those early days. There were car washes in inclement weather and we would raise a mere $300 in a day. We had many bake sales, too many to count, hot dog sales, breakfast sales and of course the good old Hershey chocolate bar sales. Though many of the fundraising events were hands on with lots of leg work, these hard working volunteers took the challenge and raised the needed funds. Times changed and we were able to depend on more of our sponsors and our successful "Annual Dreams Take Flight Golf Tournament.” Sponsorships allow children to go to Walt Disney World for a day of memories and magic. Putting smiles on the young faces of these children is only made possible through the commitment and dedication of our sponsors. The kind hearts of the Dreams Take Flight volunteers and sponsors’ continued support help a child realize this dream and our dream, to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

A snapshot of the magic day The decoration team has worked since midnight setting up balloons and posters. By 5:00 am the children start to arrive, sleepy but wide-eyed. Some can’t wait to leave, and others are scared to leave their parents for the first time. Everyone gathers in groups of eight children and four adults - one group leader and three escorts. There’s a festive air in the hangar and Mascots are mingling and giggling with the children. Adding to the fun are musicians and dancers. There’s one thought in everyone’s mind… Disney! When the doors of the hangar open the aircraft is ready and waiting. Then off we go to Disney World, Florida. After a short flight, and a healthy breakfast, we touch down. There’s lots of excitement as the children have their first breath of hot Florida air. The buses are waiting and we’re off to see Mickey Mouse and friends. The day ends with the traditional Disney Parade. We all climb back on the buses, a bit more tired than when we arrived. The plane ride home goes by in a flash-or a snooze-and we’re back in Dorval by midnight. Most of the children sleep, dreaming of their encounters with Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and/or Goofy. We thank you again for your kind generosity. By supporting our fundraising efforts, you are helping us make the dreams of many young children come true.