Sweet Dreams is an annual women’s event that raises money for the I Have a Dream Foundation. This year, Sweet Dreams will be at Charlotte and Fred Hubbell’s house on May 10th from 6- 8 p.m. It will be a great night of food, fun and cocktails, all benefiting at-risk kids in our community.
2011 Sweet Dreams Invite
Want to help our Dreamers improve their reading skills? Thanks to the support from Bankers Trust and 2010 Young Professional of the Year nominee Anthony Rodari, we’re starting an eight week Reading Buddies program!
If you can commit one hour a week to visit King Elementary School and read with one of our Dreamers, you can help improve a students reading skills and ensure they’re better prepared for middle school next year!
Maddie, Sandra, Mariah, Grace and Chef Lisa
January is National Mentor Appreciation Month, so it’s a great time to highlight all the ways in which our mentors are such a great part of I Have a Dream! Nearly all of our Dreamer students are paired with a mentor, and usually each get together a few times a month. Whether it’s going to Monster Truck shows, a live theater show, getting together to bake cookies, or walking the dog, the relationships that our mentors have built with their Dreamers is truly invaluable.
One of our newest mentors, Lisa LaValle, was paired up with Dreamer Grace last summer. Lisa is the chef at the Des Moines Art Center Restaurant, and often brings Grace to the restaurant to bake with her or view the art in the museum.
Last night, Chef Lisa hosted a get together for all of our mentors and their Dreamers at the Des Moines Art Center restaurant. It was a wonderful evening, filled with great food, intriguing art, and milk and warm cookies to end the night. Thank you, Lisa, for your dedication to I Have a Dream, and for hosting such a wonderful event!
Christopher, Grace and Deji bake cookies with Chef Lisa
Kohl visited the fifth grade classroom while home on break from the Air Force. He shared about high expectations in basic training, the importance of honoring the chain of command, and encouraged the kids to try their hardest in school – even if it isn’t their favorite thing – so they will be prepared to support themselves after graduation. The kids had many questions for Kohl about his life as a ‘real soldier’. Kohl is an Airman First Class in the US Air Force stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.
The King Dreamers visited the Van Meter National Honor Society on Wednesday, November 15th. Each NHS student worked with a group of Dreamers using Photo Booth to take crazy pictures to share and Skyping across the room to one another. One Dreamer used Google Earth to show their Van Meter friend where they lived in Des Moines. On the far side of the library, The Cupid Shuffle video was being watched on YouTube while two Dreamers danced for their Van Meter friends. After looking at instruments in the band room, two friends were creating their own music using Garage Band. It was so special to see how their interests and differences were coming together and the friendships were developing. The Dreamers will be visiting Van Meter NHS once a month to work on projects throughout the year.
King Dreamers, mentors, parents, IHAD Board members and IHAD staff attended the ISU vs Texas Tech. ISU played an exciting game and beat Texas Tech 52-38. Dreamers enjoyed food and games at a tailgate before kickoff.
The Des Moines ” I Have A Dream” Foundation presented its first White Tablecloth Tailgate Party on September 30th. Hosted at Bill and Wicker VanOrsdel’s “Wicker Park” a beautiful evening was the backdrop for over 75 donors who together raised nearly $14,000 to help support the organization. The location, food and overall ambiance were very good – it felt like an upscale, intimate gathering of good friends, around a football theme.
Twenty-five King Dreamers, family members, mentors and IHAD staff participated in the 2010 Meals from the Heartland at Hy-Vee hall. The event is thought to be the United State’s largest volunteer food packaging event. The meals are currently on their way to malnourished children and families living in Haiti, Jamaica, South Africa, and New Mexico. Support will also be provided to homeless veterans, homeless shelters and food banks in Iowa. A sample of the packaged food was given to each participant. King Dreamers commented that the food was good but not very filling. The Dreamers look forward to helping again next year!
School supplies and backpacks were donated by Relationship Marketing (RMI) for all 45 King Dreamers! Employees of RMI delivered the school supplies to King Elementary and each Dreamer was given a backpack to put their school supplies in. In addition to the school supplies RMI presented a check for $400 to IHAD to purchase uniforms for the Dreamers. Thank you RMI for your continued support!
