Non-profit organization has been helping students with special since 1999
By Kevin Woodhouse
www.thesuburban.com
The goal behind the Light a Dream, a non profit organization, was to help students with special needs who are leaving CEGEP develop more life skills through working at the retail store that sells candles, accessories and gift items.
What started in 1999 in Pointe Claire has developed over the years, including moving to a new location in Dorval four years ago. “Some of our graduates have come back to work indefinitely with us while some have moved on to other employment opportunities,” Light a Dream Managing Director Diana Zuleeg Crawford told The Suburban.
There are currently 18 students in the current program who take volunteer shifts building and creating the products that include candles, soaps, lip balms and Christmas decorations as well as 28 alumni members. Besides working at the store, there are meetings twice a month where students can come together for mentoring, networking and social activities. “It is so nice that they still keep in touch,” Crawford said.
Not only do the students work at the store but they also help in the fundraising department including Light a Dream’s major fundraiser of the year, the Auction and Casino Night that is taking place Friday, Nov. 15. There will be a live and silent auction that will have Montreal Canadiens hockey tickets up for grabs as well as an autographed stick and tickets for Cirque du Soleil.
Students will serve as runners during the auction, work the front of house as well as to help staff the ever popular raffle table.
Another major event for Light a Dream is the kickoff to the Christmas Shopping season and to celebrate their 14th anniversary with a wine and cheese on Thursday, Dec. 5.
The Light a Dream Casino and Auction Night is taking place on Friday, Nov. 15 at the Beaconsfield Golf Club, 49 Golf Avenue in Pointe Claire. Call [514] 636-9966 or go online at www.lightadream.eventbrite.ca. Light a Dream is located at 475 Dumont Avenue, Suite 102, Dorval.
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