Dream Foundation in Critical Need of Airline Miles

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dream Foundation, the first national wish-granting organization for adults in the end stages of life, is calling upon the national community to donate airline miles to help fulfill travel-related final dreams. From a small office in Santa Barbara, Dream Foundation currently is working on 134 dreams – with more than 50 requesting travel, to allow for reunions, goodbyes, and final family trips. The airline tickets associated with these dreams alone would require more than 5 million airline miles.

“This is truly the best way we could honor our dream recipients”

Over the last 16 years, Dream Foundation has encountered many “firsts,” including being the first wish granting organization to serve the needs of adults battling life-limiting illness and their families. Unfortunately, this “first” is not of the celebratory variety – as is this is first time the organization’s airline mileage resources have been depleted due to an increasing demand in dreams.

Dream Foundation Founder Thomas Rollerson comments, “The good news is that the awareness of our mission is expanding, and families are finding their way to our services. Yet to be able to fulfill these dreams – and maintain a track record of never having to turn away a qualified request – we are in desperate need of mileage contributions and donations.”

Rollerson adds, “We are reaching out to those who took a ‘staycation’ this year, travel a lot for work and have accumulated miles, or have just few miles with an airline they don’t often use. It’s easy to donate any amount of Alaska, American, Continental, or United Airlines miles by going to our website at www.dreamfoundation.org.”

In August, 16 years after the fulfillment of its first dream, the non-profit organization will realize its 10,000^th dream. In celebration of 10,000 dream recipients - and their heartfelt final wishes - Dream Foundation, along with Academy Award winning actor, Jeff Bridges, is asking the national community to continue to take part in the 10,000 in ‘10 challenge.

In honoring 10,000 fulfilled dreams, Dream Foundation is aiming to collect 10,000 gifts in 2010. Gifts can come by way of a contribution of $10 or more, 10,000 donated airline miles, 10 volunteer hours, and other “10-themed” gift options found on the Dream Foundation website at www.dreamfoundation.org.

Speaking on the 10,000 in ’10 challenge, Dream Foundation Ambassador, Jeff Bridges, notes, “We have all been touched by loss. By making a donation of any kind to this campaign, not only are we helping other families prepare for loss – we are allowing them to make the most of the time they have left. I don’t know of a greater gift.”

Founded by Thomas Rollerson in 1994, Dream Foundation maintains a 4-Star rating by Charity Navigator and strives to bring joy and comfort at the end of life’s journey. Dream recipients - ages 18 and up - have been given prognosis of a year or less of life and are often financially depleted as a result of their illnesses. Dream Foundation collects funds and resources to fulfill the dreams of nearly 10,000 adults – and their children/families - across the country.

“This is truly the best way we could honor our dream recipients,” says Rollerson. “Those who have had their dreams fulfilled are the most invested in seeing us to carry on our mission. So often we receive cards and humble donations from our dreamers beseeching us to help others. No one knows better the importance of the service we provide than they do,” adds Rollerson.

ABOUT JEFF BRIDGES HISTORY WITH DREAM FOUNDATION

Jeff and Susan Bridges have been loyal Dream Foundation supporters since the early years of the 16-year old national non-profit. Jeff Bridges was the Dream Foundation’s first Celebrity Spokesperson and the star of the first PSA video that played on United Airlines, which helped to raise significant funds toward the final wishes of adults with life-threatening illnesses. At the Dream Foundation’s 2009 Annual Celebration of Dreams Jeff and Susan Bridges were honored for their longtime dedication to the cause. Despite a packed schedule following Jeff Bridges Golden Globe win in 2010, he took time out to help with a fulfillment of a dream in February.

ABOUT DREAM FOUNDATION

The mission of Dream Foundation is to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their families battling life-threatening illness. With approximately 1,600 dream requests annually, Dream Foundation relies on donations of cash, airline miles and other resources to make many of their dreams come true. For more information, visit www.dreamfoundation.org or call (805) 564-2131.