Dreams come true, one meal at a time

By Vernon Daily Courier staffThursday, February 1, 2007 http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_931.php

Aidan Godfrey can’t help but grin as he remembers his trip to Disneyland last month.The eight-year-old Kidston Elementary School student travelled to California with 78 other kids from the B.C. Interior for a visit to the Magic Kingdom on Dec. 6. But unlike most visitors to the theme park, Aidan and his fellow travellers were given a full police escort and never had to wait in line for a ride.“I got to Disneyland in a bus and two sheriffs came out,” Aidan said. “My favourite ride was Pirates of the Caribbean.”

Aidan was able to make the trip thanks to Wendy’s Dreamlift and the 13th annual fundraiser returned to Vernon on Wednesday. Dozens of volunteers from the fire department, RCMP, B.C. ambulance, Vernon Vipers and many other local businesses and organizations pitched in to help send another group of kids just like Aidan to Disneyland.All of the proceeds from sales at the restaurant on Wednesday will send local children with life threatening illnesses or severe physical handicaps to Disneyland. Aidan’s father Kevin said it was a tiring but exhilarating experience for his son. “It was exciting for him, it was a long, quick run,” said Aidan’s father Kevin. “He’s one of the kids who’s doing much better now so he was really able to enjoy it.”Last year, nine Wendy’s restaurants in the Interior which participated raised more than $76,000.

Wendy’s regional marketing director Dorothy Hamilton said that money will pay for roughly half the cost of a flight. The remaining funds will be raised at next year’s event, she said.“It’s amazing, some people will come that just don’t miss this day, they have it marked on their calendar,” Hamilton said. “Money that is raised stays in the communityIn addition to the many volunteers from the community, Wendy’s staff also donated their time and their wages to Dreamlift. Hamilton said that some Wendy’s alumni travel all the way from Edmonton to participate in the event, which is unique among Wendy’s restaurants in Canada.“There are at least a dozen past Wendy’s employees in the Vernon store alone,” Hamilton said. “Volunteers have come out in full force so we’re thrilled.”