MONTGOMERY CITY – The Dream Factory of Audrain County has been granting dreams for nearly 20 years, and two of their latest candidates were 10-year-old twins Nikki and Haley Lunceford of Montgomery City, who recently returned from Florida, visiting Disney World.
The girls were accompanied by their parents, Dennis and Tina Lunceford, and two siblings, Shayla, 12, and Mercades, 6. They took their trip July 18-26.
While in the sunshine state, the family tried to visit every inch of the 70-acre resort that they could. The girls' favorite part of the visit was meeting Mickey Mouse, riding the big tea cup, going through the haunted mansion and Hollywood Theater, and visiting Sea World. The family had never been to Florida, and this was the twins' first time on an airplane.
"When we went up in the air, my ears popped," Nikki recalled. Born at 29 weeks, Nikki is the oldest by one minute. She's also the most outgoing and talkative. Mickey Mouse took pictures with the entire family, and Haley even got a kiss.
The twins were diagnosed with newborn Cerebral Palsy, and suffer from asthma, lung disease and some developmental delays. Haley's condition is slightly worse, in that she also has seizures. Both rely on wheelchairs, however they can get around quite well on their hands and knees – Nikki, more so than Haley.
The mission of the Dream Factory is to help children facing serious or life threatening illness. Lunceford said she heard about the group from her daughter's pediatrician. And, within one year of making application, they were accepted.
"When I told them, they were very excited," Lunceford said. Nikki initially wanted to go see wrestler John Cena, but he wasn't available at the time they were slotted to take their trip. So, she agreed to go Disney World, which was Haley's choice. But, good always pans out. The family also has received a care package to see Cena, during the live Monday Night Raw event being held in St. Louis in September. "Yeah," Nikki shouted. "I can't wait."
When asked what they would like to say to the people who made their dream possible, Lunceford said, "It's kind of hard to put into words. To know that there are people out there who really care to help and make dreams come true, is really amazing."
And Nikki said, "thank you for the best time in my life." Haley seconded her sister's sentiment with a "yea."
The Dream Factory was formed in 1980, in Hopkinsville, Ky. The Mexico Chapter was formed in 1991 as a non-profit organization, to better serve the people in the northern and eastern regions of Missouri. Volunteers travel north of Interstate 70 to the Iowa border, to the west of Brookfield, and east to the Illinois line (except for the St. Louis area).
The chapter grants dreams to chronically and critically ill children from age 3 to 18. Currently there are 36 active chapters in 19 states.
"When children face serious illness the impact can be very devastating for the child and the family," said Dream Factory volunteer and member Lisa Silver. "Our volunteers and donors contribute their time and money to make a child's dream come true. The real reward is seeing a child smile and the family to forget about their everyday struggles, even if just for a moment."
Silver and her two sisters – Paula Hill and Robin Biggers – joined the Audrain Chapter together, and were the representatives that granted the Luncefords their trip. The reason Silver continues to offer her support she said, "is to see the happiness that you helped bring to a child. For one moment you were important in the life of a child, and it doesn't get any better than that."
To date, the Mexico chapter has 11 members, ranging in years of service from two to 25 years. The first dream granted by the Mexico chapter was in December 1991 at the cost of $834. Dreams today, Silver said, can range up to $4,500. Most children tend to want to go to Disney World. The Dream Factory of Audrain County has granted 187 dreams – and counting.
"National requires us to grant at least four dreams a year," SiIver said. "This year, four dreams have been granted, thus far with four children from two families, who all went to Disney World in July.
"We have a dream child going to see Thomas the Train in late August, and another child who is going to see Justin Bieber. We also have in the screening process, a possible dream request."
Silver said the Mexico Dream Factory is always working to make dreams come true, but they need the community's help – memberships and donations.
"We continually need the help from donations," Silver said.
The group's two main fundraisers are the" Chairs 4 Charity" auction held in early spring – where local artists paint chairs, barstools, children's desks and other objects with different themes – and the chapter's annual golf tournament, which is scheduled for Sept. 10 at the Mexico Country Club. Anyone interested can contact Robin Biggers at 253-0219, or Silver at 253-5489 or 581-1380.
Silver said, "Without the generosity of the community and businesses, the dreams would not be possible."
For information about the Dream Factory of Audrain County, call Helen Golden at (573) 581-2417 or Lorna Biggers at (573) 581-1349, or write to: Dream Factory of Audrain County, P.O. Box 622, Mexico, Mo. 65265. The chapter meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Hardees restaurant, 707 W. Jackson.
|
|
|
MONTGOMERY CITY – The Dream Factory of Audrain County has been granting dreams for nearly 20 years, and two of their latest candidates were 10-year-old twins Nikki and Haley Lunceford of Montgomery City, who recently returned from Florida, visiting Disney World.
The girls were accompanied by their parents, Dennis and Tina Lunceford, and two siblings, Shayla, 12, and Mercades, 6. They took their trip July 18-26.
While in the sunshine state, the family tried to visit every inch of the 70-acre resort that they could. The girls' favorite part of the visit was meeting Mickey Mouse, riding the big tea cup, going through the haunted mansion and Hollywood Theater, and visiting Sea World. The family had never been to Florida, and this was the twins' first time on an airplane.
"When we went up in the air, my ears popped," Nikki recalled. Born at 29 weeks, Nikki is the oldest by one minute. She's also the most outgoing and talkative. Mickey Mouse took pictures with the entire family, and Haley even got a kiss.
The twins were diagnosed with newborn Cerebral Palsy, and suffer from asthma, lung disease and some developmental delays. Haley's condition is slightly worse, in that she also has seizures. Both rely on wheelchairs, however they can get around quite well on their hands and knees – Nikki, more so than Haley.
The mission of the Dream Factory is to help children facing serious or life threatening illness. Lunceford said she heard about the group from her daughter's pediatrician. And, within one year of making application, they were accepted.
"When I told them, they were very excited," Lunceford said. Nikki initially wanted to go see wrestler John Cena, but he wasn't available at the time they were slotted to take their trip. So, she agreed to go Disney World, which was Haley's choice. But, good always pans out. The family also has received a care package to see Cena, during the live Monday Night Raw event being held in St. Louis in September. "Yeah," Nikki shouted. "I can't wait."
When asked what they would like to say to the people who made their dream possible, Lunceford said, "It's kind of hard to put into words. To know that there are people out there who really care to help and make dreams come true, is really amazing."
And Nikki said, "thank you for the best time in my life." Haley seconded her sister's sentiment with a "yea."
The Dream Factory was formed in 1980, in Hopkinsville, Ky. The Mexico Chapter was formed in 1991 as a non-profit organization, to better serve the people in the northern and eastern regions of Missouri. Volunteers travel north of Interstate 70 to the Iowa border, to the west of Brookfield, and east to the Illinois line (except for the St. Louis area).
The chapter grants dreams to chronically and critically ill children from age 3 to 18. Currently there are 36 active chapters in 19 states.
"When children face serious illness the impact can be very devastating for the child and the family," said Dream Factory volunteer and member Lisa Silver. "Our volunteers and donors contribute their time and money to make a child's dream come true. The real reward is seeing a child smile and the family to forget about their everyday struggles, even if just for a moment."
Silver and her two sisters – Paula Hill and Robin Biggers – joined the Audrain Chapter together, and were the representatives that granted the Luncefords their trip. The reason Silver continues to offer her support she said, "is to see the happiness that you helped bring to a child. For one moment you were important in the life of a child, and it doesn't get any better than that."
To date, the Mexico chapter has 11 members, ranging in years of service from two to 25 years. The first dream granted by the Mexico chapter was in December 1991 at the cost of $834. Dreams today, Silver said, can range up to $4,500. Most children tend to want to go to Disney World. The Dream Factory of Audrain County has granted 187 dreams – and counting.
"National requires us to grant at least four dreams a year," SiIver said. "This year, four dreams have been granted, thus far with four children from two families, who all went to Disney World in July.
"We have a dream child going to see Thomas the Train in late August, and another child who is going to see Justin Bieber. We also have in the screening process, a possible dream request."
Silver said the Mexico Dream Factory is always working to make dreams come true, but they need the community's help – memberships and donations.
"We continually need the help from donations," Silver said.
The group's two main fundraisers are the" Chairs 4 Charity" auction held in early spring – where local artists paint chairs, barstools, children's desks and other objects with different themes – and the chapter's annual golf tournament, which is scheduled for Sept. 10 at the Mexico Country Club. Anyone interested can contact Robin Biggers at 253-0219, or Silver at 253-5489 or 581-1380.
Silver said, "Without the generosity of the community and businesses, the dreams would not be possible."
For information about the Dream Factory of Audrain County, call Helen Golden at (573) 581-2417 or Lorna Biggers at (573) 581-1349, or write to: Dream Factory of Audrain County, P.O. Box 622, Mexico, Mo. 65265. The chapter meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Hardees restaurant, 707 W. Jackson.
