Air Canada and Dreams Take Flight transported 119 children on a "trip-of-a-lifetime" from Vancouver (YVR) to a California theme park - thanks to the Air Canada Foundation.
According to Air Canada, the children were accompanied by a crew of current and retired employee volunteers. The crew members, including pilots, flight attendants, and maintenance engineers, donated their time to offer children facing mental, physical, or social adversity the chance to take a break from their everyday lives.
"It brings me such joy to see these deserving children finally get their special day. The dedication of everyone involved in making this trip happen has ensured that the children go home with memories that they will cherish forever," said Valerie Durand, spokesperson for the Air Canada Foundation.
Every year, 1,700 children participate in the philanthropic flight to a theme park in Florida or California. This year, three more flights from across Canada are planned from Calgary, Montreal and Ottawa. Dreams flights from Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, and Halifax occurred earlier in 2023. Since 1989, Dreams Take Flight has given more than 30,000 Canadian children with various special needs a dream flight.
As Open Jaw reported, in MAY 2023, Air Canada and Dreams Take Flight transported a plane load of children from Toronto to a Florida theme park. The aircraft was carrying many children who were meant to experience the trip in 2020 but could not due to the global pandemic.
"After a 3-year hiatus, YVR is very excited to embark on our 28th Dreams flight, making magical memories for 119 children from organizations like BC Children's Hospital, Children's Organ Transplant Society and various school groups from the lower mainland," said Melissa Hance, Dreams Take Flight YVR President.
She added, "Special needs doesn't have to be of a physical nature, these past few years have had a major mental effect on the world and we are excited to make memories for special kids for just one magical day."
More information on Air Canada's website.
