VOLUME 7: ISSUE 4
A Winning Equation
Children, surviving to thrive, make the Dream House mission come to life through kids like Laura Kate. Now a blossoming 3-year-old, many Dream House supporters have heard the story of how Laura Kate became a Dream House baby in 2005 when four months old, weighing a mere four pounds. Born 24 weeks premature with a birth weight just over one pound, she also suffered from multiple internal disorders deeming her medically fragile. Laura Kate is now growing up with her forever family. Her adoptive parents, Todd and Kelly Coker, fell in love with her while volunteering at Dream House. They become her foster parents first, then made Laura Kate a permanent member of their young family. Laura Kate now has a home, a family and a very bright future. She is living proof the innovative Dream House Transition Care Program works!
- Bumblebee Laura Kate, Halloween 2008
Good News in Uncertain Times
Because of your support, Dream House has positively impacted more than 900 children like Laura Kate in 42 Georgia counties.
Medically fragile children need Dream House and our Family for Keeps™ services to stabilize their health conditions, engage home health care resources, develop long-term plans of care, and to find permanent family placements like with Laura Kate.
Their families need Dream House and our Family for Keeps™ programs for specialized training, home accessibility modifications, medically necessary equipment, health care supplies and respite care - much of which is not covered by insurance.
Kids Helping Kids Survive to Thrive
In April, Dream House launched a fundraising campaign designed to encourage children in the community to reach out to help medically fragile children. All donations from their efforts are helping Dream House retire the commercial property loan at the Lilburn Transition Care Home. As we state on our wish list, by December 31, 2008 Dream House hopes to be a completely debt free organization.
We have been humbled by the creativity, energy and generosity our kids are showing toward their peers in need! Highlights include:
April 26, 2008 - Students at the Norcross, Ga. Wesleyan Lower School painted a masterpiece that raised $6,000 for Dream House via an auction sponsored by the Wesleyan Arts Alliance.
September 2008 - Five Forks Middle School in Snellville, Ga. chose Dream House as the 2008-09 beneficiary of its PTA Environmental Recycling Project. Students have been collecting pull tabs from aluminum soda cans for anticipated gifts to Dream House before winter break and spring break.
November 7, 2008 - Fans will have a chance to support Dream House at Gwinnett County's greatest rivalry, the annual Brookwood vs. Parkview football game, and join Lilburn and Snellville, Ga. hometown sports heroes, Parkview graduate and Atlanta Brave Jeff Francoeur and Brookwood graduate and Atlanta Falcon Jason Elam.
December 1-3, 2008 - The Kennesaw State University A.B.L.E. organization will host a student Gingerbread House Project with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Dream House.
December 6, 2008 - Kids of all ages will enjoy Breakfast with Santa at the Centerville Community Center. Co-sponsored by the MOMS Club of Snellville, proceeds will be a wonderful Christmas gift to Dream House.
Annual Newsletter Soon in Mailboxes
Dream House is publishing a hardcopy version of The Silver Lining that will arrive in mailboxes in late November. This will be the only printed edition published in 2008. In this newsletter you'll find:
- Stories about the children and families we've served in 2008
- A recap of Dream House accomplishments
- Program expansion initiatives for 2009
- Honor Roll of Donors for 2007 and 2008
- Highlights from late 2007 and 2008 events
- Details on 2009 signature events and sponsorship opportunities
Do you receive mail from Dream House? If not, please sign up to receive this special-edition, mailed newsletter.
