These are examples of those that we have helped.
An 11-year-old girl dying of cancer dreamt of being an artist and becoming a star, so she bravely continued to paint daily. The Clayton Dabney Foundation made this dream a reality by hosting an exhibition of her work at a prestigious art gallery complete with superstar treatment: limousine service, a shopping spree and lunch and salon services from Neiman Marcus. Over 60 families, friends and hospital staff attended the festivities that ended with a live auction that raised $1,200 for this family in need. This little star is gone now, but the memories will last forever.
Every 12-year-old boy dreams of seeing Michael Jordan or Troy Aikman play in person. Being diagnosed with terminal cancer and living in a small remote town make that dream next to impossible. The Clayton Dabney Foundation was able to provide this boy and his family with tickets to an NBA playoff game of his favorite team, a weekend stay at a high-rise hotel and his favorite meal at a famous steakhouse. Luckily, his team won and the family enjoyed a memorable weekend that will last a lifetime.
A 14-year-old boy always wanted to see the ocean and fly in a plane. The Clayton Dabney Foundation helped him realize this dream and arranged to send the boy and his family on a three-day fishing trip to Corpus Christi. CDF provided airfare, hotel accommodations and spending money. The ocean provided the boy with his first marlin and gave his family a smile they hadn't seen in a long time.
Parents can't always spend as much time with their kids as the want to. But for one single mom working 60-hour weeks, the Clayton Dabney Foundation created the time for her. CDF hired a temporary staff person to take the mother's place at work that allowed the mother to spend one last week with her 7-year-old daughter. Since she and her daughter loved photography, they spent the week taking snapshots of their neighborhood, images of a week the mother will always treasure.
To a 10-year-old boy, happiness is a video game system with two controller and enough games to last a weekend. Sadly, the family was unable to afford such a system but the Clayton Dabney Foundation was able to oblige. CDF arranged for the boy to have a game system while he was bed-bound. Both the boy and his older sister spent countless precious last hours racing 3D sports cars and playing trivia games.
A family living in a two story home in a rural area only had air conditioning for the upstairs and had difficulty paying utility bills because of the soaring medical bills of their dying son. The bed-ridden 9-year-old wanted to be downstairs with his family so that he would not be isolated from the family. The Clayton Dabney Foundation provided two new air conditioners for the downstairs and paid the electric bills for several months during the hot summer months.
A 15-year-old boy longed to see his artwork but couldn't display it in the hospital. The Clayton Dabney Foundation purchased a flatbed scanner which allowed him to transfer his artworks to the Web. In a few weeks he created a virtual art gallery online and an enduring self portrait for his family and friends.
When a 9-year-old girl dying of cancer requested a video camera and tickets to the zoo the Clayton Dabney Foundation gave them exactly that. The girl's parents and siblings took turns videotaping each other and their day with the animals. Now, whenever the family wants to hear the little girl giggle or see her grin, all they have to do is press the play button.
The parents of a 13-month-old girl were laid off from their jobs because of missing so much work to be with their dying infant. The Clayton Dabney Foundation paid all the family bills to reduce the stress and relieve the burdens so they could continue to be at the bedside of their child.
Many children dream of becoming an Olympic gold medalist. It is always such a special thrill to see athletes presented their medals. A 14-year-old who had such dreams wanted to participate in the Olympic Torch festivities as the torch passed through their town but was too sick to attend. The Clayton Dabney Foundation transported an Olympic gold medal winner to the home of the boy and presented him with his very own Olympic Torch.