Dreams Take Flight
Toronto
One's mind, once stretched, never regains its original dimensions.
Days Until Flight
Give a trip-of-a-lifetime. Give limitless possibilities.
There are incredible people in this world who devote their energy to giving children the gift of a lifetime.
Your contributions and generous spirit will live on in loving memory every day. Thank you.
In Memoriam of Walter Gretzky 1938 – 2021
Walter was widely known for serving his community and giving back in more ways than one. He was a great storyteller & wonderful with our children. He made it his daily intention to spread love and light everywhere he went & to everyone he met.
Welcome to Dreams Take Flight | Toronto!
** NEWS FLASH**
Last update March 15, 2023
SAVE THE DATE!
It’s hard to believe with all these snow storms that Spring is near…but the days ARE getting longer & the courses will be opening soon to welcome another season of golfers on the greens.
Mark your calendars everyone; for the 19th Annual Dreams Take Flight Golf Tournament event!
** NEWS FLASH**
Last update February 23, 2023
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
We Are Backkkk…Toronto Dreams Take Flight Trip 2023!!!
After a much anticipated & eagerly longer wait than usual; we are beyond excited to officially announce a confirmed date for this year’s trip to the happiest place on earth. Destination Disney World will be taking off on Tuesday, May 2nd.
We would like to thank all of our longtime friends/supporters of Toronto Dreams Take Flight, our aviation community & volunteer members for being here for us in more ways than one during the last three challenging years. The love & support we received from everyone throughout this period has been immeasurable. It’s because of you all that this trip is finally happening & we are truly grateful for each of you.
We are looking forward to welcoming all the children (who have been patiently waiting), on-board this year’s flight.
More details to come regarding our upcoming trip in the following months, so be sure to check here on our website often.
** NEWS FLASH**
Last update September 16, 2022
We Love our Photographers!
We have been lucky to have & have had some terrific photographers over the years. We are grateful to them for beautifully capturing all our magical moments! These shutterbugs have portrayed more than words can say; on the faces of the children, through their lenses.
Whether it be photographing Day of Flight, previous Galas or any other FUNdraiser event we grateful in more ways than one. Special thanks to Matt & Marie Photography for graciously taking the time let us share with others how our latest event last month; the Annual Golf Tournament went.
To view the complete collection of photos from that day you can access them by clicking on the Googles Photo link:
Dreams Take Flight Golf Tournament 2022
Using the password dtf and PIN 3331. Highlights from the event will be in the Event Gallery section soon. Be sure to be on the look out for that album to be included.
** NEWS FLASH**
Last update May 9, 2022
SAVE THE DATE!
The 17th Annual Dreams Take Flight Golf
Tournament Event will be held at the Royal Ontario Golf Club again. This year will mark our 32nd year for Toronto Dreams Take Flight. We have missed all our friends who have come out to support us each year for this fun-filled event, and we are very much looking forward to seeing you all. You can find more details; including registration for the Golf Tournament in our Events section. Please monitor this page as more information will follow from now up until the days leading up to the event day. In the meantime, you can click on the link below to enjoy viewing past photos from this popular event.
LINK FOR PHOTOS FROM OUR LAST GOLF TOURNAMENT
** NEWS FLASH**
Last update April 23rd, 2022
The Sweetest Cause
Once again a HUGE shout out goes to the airline community for coming out and supporting our Easter Candygram fundraiser of last Friday! Dreams Take Flight volunteers members Dennis, Samantha & Erlinda were a part of putting this event together. Thank you to everyone who came by that day; a total of $1,342.50 was raised! Of which $527.00 from 50/50 ticket sales, $375.00 Candygram sales, & $340.50 combined sales of Dreams Take Flight Merch/Raffle ticket sales.
Congrats to ALL the winners of the day:
50/50 Draw Winner – Dana Schriver (Jazz Inflight)
Reebok Duffle Bag + Dreams Take Flight squeeze plane Winners – Rafeek (AC Station Attendant) & Ling Tan (AC CSA)
Zippered Hoodies + Dreams Take Flight ballcap – Gaylene Walker (AC CSA) & Deb Sinasac (AC CSA)
Laptop + Dreams Take Flight fanny packs – Rafeek (AC Station Attendant) & Scott Jackson (AC Station Attendant)
All the kind words, support & prayers with this endeavor was truly appreciated. Thank you to everyone of you for all of that & who were able to come by last week!
** NEWS FLASH**
Last update March 06, 2021
IN LOVING MEMORY OF WALTER GRETZKY
Toronto Dreams Take Flight honors & remembers a long-time member of our own. Canada’s beloved hockey dad; Walter Gretzky, was not a stranger to our organization. He was a warm familiar face at many of our events throughout the years and worked alongside us to bring smiles to many little faces. It was not uncommon to see him be one of the first people to show up at our events (well before the festivities were underway) to help set up & take the time to get to know us. Walter was always generous with his thanks to our members/volunteers for the work they do & was never without offering kind words of love and support. Walter Gretzky’s radiant light filled the atmosphere everywhere he went & will never be diminished; they remain in the moments captured with each photo of him with us and with every video of him serenading our kids and volunteers with his singing.
Our deepest sympathies to Walter’s family and friends,
The Dreams Take Flight Executive Team
**NEWS FLASH**
Last update July 30, 2020
Dear Dreams Take Flight members, volunteers, and flight participants,
At Dreams Take Flight Toronto, the safety & well-being of everyone that takes part in making our annual trip to Walt Disney World possible remains the utmost priority to us. On March 16th, our Dreams Take flight executive board made the difficult, but responsible decision to postpone the flight originally scheduled to take place on May 6th, 2020. At that time, we all had hopes to reschedule the flight for a later date of October 7th, 2020. Unfortunately, ongoing COVID-19 developments in the world, including travel restrictions where the Canada-US borders remain closed, and restrictions of large gatherings continue.
It is with a heavy heart that we have made the difficult decision to which will require us to cancel our flight for 2020 and focus on making ‘Dreams Take Flight’ in May 2021.
Hoping that each of you remain safe & well.
Please continue to monitor our website dreamstakeflight.ca
Warm regards,
The Dreams Take Flight Executive Team
**NEWS FLASH**
Last update May 11, 2020
Our number one priority is everyone’s health and wellbeing. Our Dreams Take Flight doctors are keeping up to date on health protocols and we feel confident we will be able to make the best decision by mid-summer.
Our departure is still planned for October 7, 2020, with the information session on Saturday, September 12.
At any time, if you have any questions, please contact Denise Egglestone via email, d.egglestone@dreamstakeflight.ca, or at 416-801-5037.
Please continue to monitor our website dreamstakeflight.ca
Warm regards,
The Dreams Take Flight Executive Team
**NEWS FLASH**
Last update March 16, 2020
Dear Dreams Take Flight Members, Volunteers, and Flight Participants,
Given the ever changing news and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 situation, along with the unprecedented measures being taken around us, the Dreams Take Flight executive board have taken the difficult but responsible position to postpone the departure of Dreams Take Flight May 2020’s flight to Walt Disney World. Our top priority is everyone’s health and well being.
Our planned departure is now Wednesday, October 7, 2020 with the information session on Saturday, September 12. Any changes to this will be communicated to you. Alternatively, please continue to monitor our website dreamstakeflight.ca
We are still in the process of collecting passenger information as if the flight were still leaving in May. If we have asked you for further information, please continue to work on it and forward it as soon as possible.
At any time, if you have any questions, please contact Denise Egglestone via email, d.egglestone@dreamstakeflight.ca, or at 416-801-5037.
Warm regards,
The Dreams Take Flight Executive Team
All About Us
In 1989, four Toronto based Air Canada employees planned a trip-of-a-lifetime for 70 children
with different challenges to spend the day at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
By 1997, the Dreams Take Flight charity had expanded to eight cities across Canada.
To date, the organization has flown thousands of children to Walt Disney World in Florida and
Disneyland in California. The members of Dreams Take Flight are proud to say, “the
organization is 100% volunteer-driven”.
Each year, Air Canada and the Air Canada Foundation provide an aircraft for our use. Dedicated
volunteers from within and outside of the airline community work tirelessly year-round to make
each flight a success. All expenses for the children are paid, thanks to fundraising by our
volunteers, corporate and private donations, and charity golf tournaments.
Chapter volunteers work with various medical organizations, social agencies and school
districts, to select the children for the flight who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
2020 marks Toronto’s 32 nd year of making Dreams Take Flight magical memories for so many
children.
The generosity of individuals and organizations touches hearts and changes lives. With your
support, we can give more Ontario children, who are experiencing difficult challenges in life,
this magical trip. Every gift of kindness gives children joy, hope for their future, and begins to
open the idea of possibilities for them, where they once thought were none.
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”
~ Walt Disney
About Dreams Take Flight
Dreams Take Flight stretches children’s minds. As poet Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote, “One’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.”
In 1989, several Air Canada employees in Toronto planned a trip-of-a-lifetime. They flew 70 special needs children on a DC-9 aircraft to Walt Disney World in Florida.
By 1997, the Dreams Take Flight charity had expanded across Canada.
For a very long and exciting day, deserving children live an adventure in a world-renowned theme park in California or Florida. All expenses paid—thanks to sponsors and volunteers.
When they land back home, their minds are stretched to new dimensions. They see new possibilities.
