Five local kids had the time of their lives, Oct. 20.
Irricana residents Mackenzie Rowe, Spencer Campbell, his older brother J.C., as well as Hannah and Crystopher Coville, of Beiseker joined 140 other Calgary and area kids for a full day in Disneyland through the Dreams Take Flight program.
“I am very excited for her,” said Mackenzie’s mom, Tammy Rowe. “It is a dream come true for her.”
Mackenzie, 8, who suffers from learning disabilities and is hearing impaired, was elated when she found about the trip on Oct. 2. But Tammy said her daughter didn’t grasp the entire concept until she arrived in Disneyland.
The family departed for the Calgary Airport at 4 a.m., where they boarded a flight bound for California. They returned home at 12:10 a.m., making it a very long, but fulfilling day.
“She has been asking to go for about a year-and-a-half,” said Tammy. “She wanted to meet Mickey and Minnie and go on the rides.”
The trip was paid for through the generous donations of individuals, businesses and organizations such as Air Canada, the Calgary Flames and the Stampeders. Many volunteers helped make the day happen, as each child had a one-on-one chaperone.
The sponsors paid for breakfast with the Disney characters, jerseys, cowboy hats, shoes, meals and $50 in spending money.
“Words can’t describe how I feel,” said Tammy, who has lived in Irricana for five years.
“It is just amazing.”
Seven-year Irricana resident Kristian Campbell agreed. His son Spencer, 10, who has a hearing problem, also took part in the trip.
“There was a prerequisite meeting at the beginning of October and we didn’t tell him beforehand, because he would have been ecstatic,” said Kristian. “He was really excited to go and spend the day in Disneyland with the new kids he met.”
The Dreams Take Flight organization is a national non-profit group that provides an unforgettable day to children who may be faced with critical illnesses, disadvantaged situations or physical and mental challenges.
“The thought and process that goes into (the trip) is absolutely amazing,” said Kristian. “The companies that sponsor them really put forward a great deal. It is…a great opportunity for kids, who would never have the opportunity to do this.”
Beiseker resident Garry Raymond, whose grandchildren, Hannah, 9, and Chrystopher, 12, attended the trip, agreed.
“On a scale of one to 10, these guys are 11’s,” said Raymond. “It just amazes me what they have done for these kids.”
