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NEWS

10/10/08
Maine Moose Hockey Announce Partnership to Raise Money for the Dream Factory of Maine
Hallowell, Maine -- The Maine Moose Junior Hockey Team announced today its partnership with the Dream Factory of Portland, Maine and will donate 10% of its ticket sales to the non-profit organization. Starting with its upcoming 2008-2009 season, the Maine Moose introduced a fundraising program called "Skating for Dreams" to benefit the Dream Factory of Portland, Maine - an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that grants dreams to chronically and critically ill children and their families throughout Maine.

For every home game for both the Elite and Super Elite Maine Moose Teams, the Maine Moose will donate 10 percent of its ticket sale proceeds to the Dream Factory. The average cost to grant one child's dream is $5,000 and the Dream Factory of Portland, Maine has granted over 200 dreams throughout Maine. During recent dreams, a child received a playset at his home, and another fishing enthusiast received a private fishing lesson with a nationally ranked fly fisherman at Cabela's outdoor pond along with a complete fly fishing packages and shopping spree in the store.

Steve Levesque, President of the Maine Moose, came up with the idea for this program after participating in the Dream Factory's annual golf fund raising event earlier this year in June. He wanted to find a way to help make more dreams come true for kids in Maine, and realized the two organizations had quite a bit in common. "The Moose program helps aspiring college bound hockey players fulfill their dream to play college hockey. We're in our third season this year, and we already have several players who are attending college and competing at that level. We're helping our hockey players achieve their dreams, and our partnership with Dream Factory means more dreams will be granted to critically ill children in Maine. ".

The Moose program helps prepare student athletes for life, using their hockey talent as a motivational tool to advance to the next level. As a result of this program, Levesque hopes that the players will embraced the Dream Factory as their cause and possibly even participate in the actual dream granting process. "I believe it will be a win-win program for the Maine Moose and the Dream Factory of Maine," added Levesque. To learn more about the Maine Moose or see the upcoming season schedule, please visit www.moosemainea.com.

07/03/08
The Hilton Garden Inn of Portland Raises Money for Dream Factory of Maine "Dining for Dreams" Program a Win-Win for All
Portland, Me. - In January 2008, the Hilton Garden Inn introduced a corporate fundraising program called "Dining for Dreams" to benefit the Dream Factory of Maine, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that grants dreams to chronically and critically ill children and their families throughout Maine.

Every Friday, the Hilton Garden Inn donates 20 percent of its breakfast and dinner proceeds to the Dream Factory. Since January, this unique program has raised nearly $3,500 for the nonprofit, almost enough to grant one child's dream (average dream cost is $5,000). Chris Chapin, former Director of Sales at the Hilton Garden Inn, came up with the idea for this program after becoming involved with the Dream Factory. She wanted to find a way to help make dreams come true, and realized she could do more if she leveraged the hotel and its guests. "After seeing all the hours the Dream Factory Board members and volunteers put into every fundraising event, I knew we had to come up with something that would have greater impact but require less effort on everyone's part," said Chapin. Chapin presented the idea of "Dining for Dreams" to the General Manager of the Hilton and she agreed it would be a great way to support a wonderful organization and attract guests.

As a result of this program, Hilton Garden Inn employees have embraced the Dream Factory as their cause and have even participated in the actual dream granting process. During a recent dream, in which a child received a playset at his home, several Hilton employees went along with Dream Factory representatives to assemble the playset and celebrate with the family. "Once I sold the Dream Factory to the General Manager and the employees of the hotel, it was immediately apparent that many people wanted to be part of this organization and help in any way they could to make children's dreams come true," added Chapin. "It's been a win-win program for the Hilton Garden Inn and the Dream Factory of Maine."

EVENTS

9/9/07
The Dream Factory of Maine is excited to hold its second Dream Club Speakeasy, a unique and exciting event to benefit Maine children suffering from chronic and critical illnesses. This 1920's speakeasy casino night features everything from gambling (with funny money, of course), to jazz music, and even cigar girls.

Where: Harbour's Edge, Custom House Wharf, Portland
When: Thursday, October 18
Time: 7pm to Midnight
Cost: $25 per person

DONATION

The Dream Factory of Maine, Portland Chapter is able to grant the dreams of critically or chronically ill children in Maine thanks to the generous support of donors.

We welcome all levels of donation - every little bit helps in our mission to granting dreams to children who need a little sunshine in their lives.


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About

Dream Factory of Maine - About

Who we are

We are an all-volunteer 501C organization that raises all of our own money, 95% of which stays in Maine and goes directly to fulfilling some very special dreams. Whatever the dream request, our goal remains the same - to bring a "moment of sunshine" into a child's life, a life that is too often filled with pain and suffering.

Each year there are many Maine children that are stricken with life-threatening or debilitating illnesses. When this occurs, the men and women of Maine's health care system spring into action, working toward the mutual goal of bringing these youngsters back to good health.

With today's medical technology and knowledge, that goal is usually met. However, for many of these children, the months, and sometimes years of treatment and rehabilitation twist childhood innocence into bleak reality. It was for these children that The Children's Dream Factory of Maine was established in 1987.

Through the efforts of our volunteers, our mission is to grant very special dreams of these children. The dream may be something as simple as a dollhouse or it may be as exciting as a trip to the Super Bowl or a trip to Disney World. Regardless of what the dream may be, our goal is to make something special happen for the children and their families.

Working closely with the families, the Dream Factory forges a strong relationship with the dream kids to insure that the dream's fulfillment creates the moment of a lifetime for each child.

Mission Statement

The Dream Factory of Maine grants dreams to children who are between the ages of 3 and 18 years who have been diagnosed with critical or chronic illnesses. Our goal is to create the moment of a lifetime for a critically ill child.

History

The Dream Factory was founded nationally in 1980 by Charles Henault, a South Central Bell employee of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, after he and his friends provided a trip to Disneyworld for a young girl dying of leukemia. It was to be the first of thousands of dreams to come true for chronically and seriously ill children in the United States.

There are now more than 30 chapters across the United States with over 5,000 volunteers who work to produce and deliver dreams, visit children and their families in the hospital and their homes, arrange special celebrations and conduct fundraising events for individual children. This volunteer support ensures that the maximum percentage of donations is used for the procurement and distribution of dreams.

Board


Executive Committee
Steve Strout
President
Gorham Saving Bank

Kimbely Simard
Secretary/Treasurer
L.L. Bean

Mark St. Germain
Dream Team
St. Germain & Associates

Skip Welch
Fundraising
Chapter Founder

Board of Directors
Mary Beltrante
Marketing & PR
Dolce Public Relations

Christine Chapin
fundraising
Hilton Graden Inn

Mary-Carol Haggerty
Dream Team
St. Germain & Associates

Kim Huard
Marketing & PR
Huard Marketing

Jennifer McBrierty
Marketing & PR
Cornerstone Marketing

Christine Scammell
Fundraising
L.L. Bean

Kelley Skillin-Smith
Fundraising
Century 21 - Gorham

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Dreams

Dream Factory of Maine - Dreams

Supporters

We are an all-volunteer 501C organization that raises all of our own money, 95% of which stays in Maine and goes directly to fulfilling these very special dreams. We count on the kindness of Maine companies and people to insure we can always grant that special dream, no matter what the request.

How You Can Help

Volunteer opportunities
The Dream Factory is always looking for volunteers and there are many opportunities across the various committees: Fundraising, Public Relations & Marketing and the Dream Team.

If you're interested, please call 207.591.7012 or 800.639.1492 or send an email to


Sponsorship Opportunities
The Dream Factory of Maine raises the majority of its money through fundraising events. Each event presents an opportunity to donate items, time or money to help the organization. If you or your company would like to sponsor any aspect of our event, please call 207.591.7012 or 800.639.1492 or send an email to

Referrals
If you know a child that is critically ill and that could use a moment of sunshine in his or her life, please call 207.591.7012 or 800.639.1492 or send an email to

In-kind donations
The Dream Factory of Maine raises the majority of its money through fundraising events. Each event presents an opportunity to donate items, time or money to help the organization. If you or your company has a service that would help with the organization or administration of dreams, or in raising awareness of the Dream Factory, we'd love to hear from you. please call 207.591.7012 or 800.639.1492 or send an email to

Monetary Support
The Dream Factory of Maine raises all its own money in Maine and 95% of money raised goes directly towards realizing the dreams of critically ill children in Maine. If you would like to make a cash donation, please call 207.591.7012 or 800.639.1492 or send an email to

The Dream Home Program
With the help and generosity of one its members, Patrick Powers, of the Dream Factory recently introduced a new initiative called the Dream Home Program to support the organizations fundraising efforts. Through this program, participating agents agree to list their homes as "Dream Homes". When a home is sold, a portion of the sales commission is donated to the Dream Factory of Maine. If you're interested in learning more about or participating in the Dream Home Program, please contact Patrick Powers at

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Contact

Dream Factory of Maine - Contact

General Enquiries

For more information about the Dream Factory of
Maine-Portland Chapter, please contact us at:

P.O Box 227
Westbrook, ME 04098

Phone:207.591.7012 - 800.639.1492

Email:

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