Vipers Out In Force For Wendy's Dreamlift Day:

Vipers out in force for Wendy's Dreamlift Day

Thursday, January 28, 2010 - Submitted by Vernon Vipers

Celebrating its 16th season on January 27, 2010, Wendy’s Dreamlift Day is a highly anticipated annual event for the residents of British Columbia's Thompson/Okanagan/Shuswap region.

Every year the Vipers are invited out to the annual event to put in a few hours of work. The concept is simple. People are invited to eat at one of the nine Wendy's Restaurants in Vernon, Kamloops, Salmon Arm, Kelowna, Westbank and Penticton on Wendy's Dreamlift Day.

All gross profits from the day's event, including staff, management, and ownership wages, are donated to Sunshine Foundation of Canada: BC Interior Chapter to help fulfill dreams for children in their local communities with severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses.

Funds raised will go toward a Dreamlift, a one-day whirlwind trip that whisks children challenged by severe physical disabilities and life-threatening illnesses for a one-day adventure at Disney. Children from the Thompson/Okanagan/Shuswap Regions will participate on a Wendy's-sponsored Dreamlift to Disneyland in California, scheduled for Winter 2010.

This would not be possible without the incredible generosity and community spirit of John Tietzen, Wendy’s Franchise Owner, area partners Akbal Mund and Todd Lewis, and the staff at the nine participating Wendy's Restaurants in Southern B.C. Special thanks also to Sunshine’s BC Interior Chapter for their support of this overwhelmingly successful event.

FACTS ABOUT WENDY'S DREAMLIFTS TO DISNEYLAND:

It takes an army of doctors, specialists, chaperones, one airline, two airports, the RCMP, the Orange County Sheriffs Department (over 100 volunteers on the ground in California) and a Magic Kingdom to create this one-day experience for approximately 80 special children.

All children on the flight are challenged by severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. For many of the children, this may be the first time they have had an independent adventure away from their parents.

Alaska Airline (Horizon) sends a special "Disney" plane, of which there are only three in the world. Departing at 6 am and returning at 11 pm the same day, the children receive VIP treatment throughout, including 'front-of-the-line' access in Disneyland.

Children are provided with spending money to bring home a cherished souvenir.