An extra-special guest joined two Vancouver Island children to kick off the 13th annual Help Fill A Dream holiday campaign with Country Grocer.
“Batman,” Scott MacFarlane, joined Gryffin, Olivia and their families at Eurosa Greenhouses in Central Saanich to launch this year’s campaign with Help Fill A Dream Executive Director Craig Smith
The campaign raises both awareness and funds to support and fill the dreams of children on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands who are facing life-threatening or critical conditions.
Batman was also on hand to present Gryffin Roberts and Olivia McDonald with their dreams. Gryffin, who was born with congenital heart disease, will travel on his Dream trip to Mexico in March. Olivia’s family is planning her dream trip for this summer.
“Help Fill A Dream has been a very important part of Olivia’s life since she was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening metabolic disease called tango2 at seven months old,” says Olivia’s mom, Gloria.
“Over the last five years they have blessed Olivia multiple times by helping her acquire some of the equipment she uses, paying for medications, providing funding for travel and accommodations, and if everything goes smoothly, next year she will finally get to take her trip to Newfoundland to meet her family.
“We are forever grateful for the kindness of this organization, and for all the people who have and will donate to support what they do,” Gloria says.
For this year’s holiday campaign, a portion of sales from Eurosa Farms’ Dream bouquets and from Wintergreen Tree Farm’s Island-grown Christmas trees will be donated to Help Fill A Dream.
Shoppers can also look for special supplier promotions throughout the store and the opportunity to donate at the checkout through Dec. 14. All proceeds raised by Country Grocer and its customers go directly to support Island children like Gryffin and Olivia.
Help Fill A Dream has provided direct support to nearly 4,000 Island children and their families since 1986.
“We are thrilled to once again join forces with Help Fill A Dream for our annual campaign,” said Craig Cavin, Country Grocer South Island Operations manager. “Together, we have the opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of children and families in our community who are facing significant challenges. We invite the media to join us in this meaningful endeavor. Country Grocer is one big family who loves to support other local families.”
Learn more about Help Fill A Dream at helpfilladream.com
