On February 26 and April 22, both the Denim and Diamonds Gala and Jeans and Dreams Gala, respectively, kicked off the 2006 fundraising efforts

on behalf of Deliver the Dream. Together, both events netted over $430,000!

The third annual Denim and Diamonds Gala was held at the beautiful Boca Raton Resort and Club in Boca Raton, FL. Co-Chairs for the event were Yvonne and Mark Templeton of Citrix and Ann Marie and Jim Dunn of J.R. Dunn Jewelers. Guests paired their favorite denim and sparkly diamonds and enjoyed a comedy showcase featuring Michael Finney, Steve Kelley and Jack Mayberry. Lynn Martinez and Louis Aguirre, the hosts of the popular Deco Drive T.V. program, also lent their support by serving as the evening’s emcees. A highlight of the evening was Mary Roberts of Pompano Beach placing the winning bid on a signature diamond pendant created and donated by J.R. Dunn Jewelers.

Denim also played a role in the theme of a second gala. De-liver the Dream’s Jacksonville Alliance planned and launched the inaugural Jeans and Dreams Gala at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

This enjoyable evening was presented by CVMA Holdings, Inc. and co-chaired by community leaders: Rita and Carl Cannon, and Patty and John Donahoo. Angela Spears of First

Coast News and Arthur Crofton of Lite 96.1 WEJZ radio served as emcees. Guests paired their favorite jeans with their more dressy attire for an evening of comedy and country – Jacksonville style! Comedian Jimmy Travis kept the crowd laughing before they hit the dance floor for the sounds of The Pure Energy Powerhouse Band. Highlights in the live auc-tion included trips to The Brown Palace Hotel in Denver, an Amelia Island get-a-way courtesy of Rita and Carl Cannon and deluxe accommodations in the Denver home of Ken Ton-ning of First Coast News. Jonathan McVety of JTI and Enkei was the winning bidder of the autographed guitar signed by country stars Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and Alan Jackson.

“I’m so grateful to our many friends in both North and South Florida for supporting our fundraising galas,” said Pat Moran, Deliver the Dream’s founder. “They truly believe in our mission to help children and families who so desperately need our help.”

Plans are underway for next year’s galas. Jeans and Dreams 2007 is slated for Saturday, March 3, at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa and Denim and Diamonds 2007 is scheduled for Friday, April 20, at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa.

Two Star-Studded Galas Benefit Deliver the DreamKickoff of the 2006 Fundraising Effort Raises Over $430,000 to Help Families

Summer 2006 Volume 9

John Donahoo, Pat Moran and Carl Cannon together at Jeans and Dreams.

Lynn Martinez and Louis Aguirre present Denim and Diamonds raffle winner K.C. Danella of Boca Raton with a J.R. Dunn shopping spree.

* For additional gala photos, please see pages 8 and 9.

Deliver the Dream Welcomes Rosie Puello-Burkman to its Board of Directors

By Rick Catlett President, Gator Bowl Association

Through the generosity of our donors, Deliver the Dream (DTD) is passionately bringing renewal to families facing illness in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. As such, we are reaching out to the lead-ers, corporations and caring individuals in areas we serve in these states to ensure there are opportunities for meaningful involvement.

An example is the creation of DTD Alliances in each of our key service areas: North and South Florida, Atlanta, and North Carolina. Through these Alliances, community leaders in each of these areas will give their time and expertise, and tap their contacts to help build awareness and support for our program.

Our Jacksonville Alliance serves as a shin-ing example. These community leaders have opened many doors for us and have played a key role in planning our recent Jeans and Dreams Gala in North Florida. We are grateful to each member for their leadership. Other Alliances are in devel-opment and we look forward to sharing news about their accomplishments.

Another opportunity for involvement is volunteering at our Retreat Weekends. We are currently seeking additional volunteers in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. If you know individuals from these areas, please refer them to Deliver the Dream’s office or website to obtain a volunteer application. We can promise them a powerful and often life-changing volunteer experience.

As always, thank you for your involve-ment. Together, we are making a positive difference.

From the Chair Welcoming a Dreamer

Deliver the Dream (DTD) enthusiastically welcomes longtime supporter Rosie Puello Burkman to our dedi-cated Board of Directors. A 15–year veteran of market-ing and advertising, Rosie brings a wealth of experience and creative excellence to DTD.

Currently, she serves as vice president of marketing for JM&A Group (JM&A), a division of diversified automo-tive company JM Family Enterprises, Inc. JM&A is one of the largest providers of finance and insurance products in the nation. Before joining JM&A, Rosie worked for Citibank, where she was instrumental in branding the

global financial services company in the Florida market.

“I am honored and humbled to be a part of the Board of Directors and committed to supporting the efforts of DTD in helping more families for many years to come,” said Rosie.

Rosie was an early champion of DTD, helping transform Pat Moran’s vision into a reality. She also served on the design committee responsible for developing DTD’s inspirational logo.

In addition to her work with DTD, Rosie lends her time and talents to Hispanic Unity of Florida. Her experiences with this organization will help DTD’s reach out to more Hispanic families.

Welcome Rosie!

On the heels of a FANTASTIC 2005, Country Super-Star and Deliver the Dream (DTD) spokesperson, Craig Morgan, literally hit a few tiny bumps in early 2006. After a cross country motorcycle accident on May 14, where he sustained minor injuries, later the same month, Craig broke his wrist at the Mid-South Hare Scramble Series. Despite the injury, he went on to perform that same night. Recently children at a DTD retreat weekend created a special get-well card for Craig to let him know how much they care. Off the motorcycles and onto the airwaves, Craig’s smash hit “That’s What I Love About Sunday” was the number one most played song of 2005 and number one most heard song of 2005 according to Billboard. Hits like “I Got You” off his new album continue to climb the Top 20 Charts. Congratulations Craig!

Get Well Wishes to Craig Morgan!

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Rosie Puello Burkman

Giving Your Heart So it Can be Filled – By Tracy Parsons, Retreat Volunteer

My Retreat Weekend Experience

Volunteering for Deliver the Dream (DTD) has given me a new perspective on life. It’s an experience that has taught me how to truly evaluate what is impor-

tant in my life and for my family. Each DTD retreat begins on Thursday and ends on Sunday.

Thursday begins quickly with the focus on setting up and getting ready for the arrival of the families. There is ample time for everyone to get acquainted with each other as several ice breakers are held. Thursday evening is rounded off with a welcome bon-fire and a ton of s’mores.

Friday is all about the family as a unit. It’s probably one of my favorite days, and it’s divided into two different opportunities. The first is a time of dramatic presentations and art projects. Both are used to help express emotions; it’s amazing to watch the presentations and

see all the feelings attached. It really touches your heart.

Saturday is the time that volunteers often have the most interaction with the children. It’s a long but meaningful day. The morning is filled with children painting wish boats

and preparing a small presentation for their parents. It’s where they express their hopes, cares and dreams for the fu-ture. I was most surprised at the depth of emotions that they were able to express. The ceremony that follows that evening is so special. Volunteers get the chance to just sit back and take it all in, and it is truly a gift. Sunday, the last day, is all about having time for reflection.

Families create scrap books of photos that were taken through out the weekend. They also watch a slide show filled with snapshots of their time together. One father said to me,

“Thank you, it’s been so long since I’ve looked at my child this way; it’s been hard for me to look at him and not see the illness. Sometimes I forget that he is just a child, a very, very brave child.”

When I think about how special this time is for these families, it overwhelms me. On Thursday, the room is full of complete strangers coming together. By Sunday, friends and support systems have been built. Families have had time together with no distractions and are getting a chance to just enjoy life. Most importantly it’s a time for them to realize that there are other people just like them. I’m so thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to be just a small part of all this as a volunteer. I have received so much more than I’ve ever given.

Tracy is a native Canadian now residing in Brevard, NC, with her husband, Charles. She is a nurse at Transylvania Community Hospital.

Making wish boats and memories for the future.

Tracy Parsons (right) creating smiles at a retreat weekend.

Snacking on s’mores by a bon-fire

Hope arrives to tuck in the children.

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“I have received so much more than

I’ve ever given.”

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Photos

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The above photos offer a glimpse of just a few of the many memories that Deliver the Dream creates for families confronted with serious illness or crisis. These photos were taken during several retreats throughout 2006 and the families shown here are confronted with serious illness including sickle cell, autism, brain tumors or other forms of cancer and multiple sclerosis, to name a few.

These retreats took place at either Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina; River Ranch in Lake Wales, Florida; Sandpiper Resort in Port St. Lucie, Florida; Cerveny Conference Center in Live Oak, Florida; or Amicalola Falls Conference Center in Dawsonville, Georgia.

When people die it’s shockingWhen people die it’s okay to be sadWhen people die it’s okay to scream

When people die it’s okay to cry.

Why is a question I have,But it may never be answered

When I think about you I feel empty inside

Love is more powerful than hate,I will never forget you.

I’m going to cryI’m going to keep going

I’m going to throw my fears awayI’m going to have hope

Why is a question I have,

But it may never be answeredWhen I think about you I feel empty

insideLove is more powerful than hate,

I will never forget you.

Because of you I learnedBecause of you I was safe

Because of you I felt joyfulBecause of you I felt love.

Why is a question I have,But it may never be answered

When I think about you I feel empty inside

Love is more powerful than hate,I will never forget you.

Firefighters Charitable Foundation Helps Families In Need

Foundation Spotlight

Music Helps the Healing

The following song was written and performed by children that attended our retreat in conjunction with CarePartners Mountain Area Hospice in North Carolina. The theme was “Families Who Have Experienced the Death of a Loved One.”

Love is a Powerful Thing

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Since 2002, the Firefighters Charitable Foundation (FCF) has been a generous supporter of Deliver the Dream. To date, they have donated $16,500, allowing our organization to send six families on retreat weekends. Deliver the

Dream’s partnership with FCF was facilitated by John Guerrero, vice president of finance at JM Family Enterprises, Inc. John and his wife, Meryl, both serve on the FCF’s Board of Directors.

FCF was founded in 1991 by retired firefighter, Louis Pelico, and his wife, Maureen. They saw first-hand the pain and suffering families experience in the wake of a fire. Now that he has left the front line of the fire service, he has the time and commitment to assist victims who have to regroup and start over.

FCF is a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that is primarily dedicated to helping individuals who have suffered damage due to a fire or disaster. In addition, they also support other charitable programs such as Deliver the Dream and provide funding for educational programs, lifesaving equipment and supplies, children’s burn camps and hospitals.

Meryl and John Guerrero, board members for Firefighters Charitable Foundation, are long-time supporters of Deliver the Dream.

Celebrity SpokespersonsCraig MorganAndy Roddick

Board of DirectorsPat Moran - FounderRichard M. Catlett - Chair

James BaiterRosie Puello BurkmanMartin J. Coyne, Jr.Katherine M. EgglestonKent EllertBonnie McElveen-HunterDavid JonesJames KelleherJonathan McVetyTom ReynoldsLarry RichHolly C. Giertz-RichardsonTony StrombergMark TempletonJames E. Rink (in memory)

Executive DirectorMatt Pieper

Medical Advisory BoardKaren Moffitt, PhD - ChairPaul J. Chappano, M.D.Kris Colluro, MSW, LCSWMary Cowans, MSW, LCSWJennifer LeeVeresa T. Myers, M.D.Linda Poss, RN, MBAHelena Richards, LCSW, ACSWRudolph Roskos, M.D.Ora J. Wells, M.D.

Not-for-Profit PartnersAmerican Cancer SocietyCare Partners Mountain Area HospiceChildren’s Healthcare of AtlantaGrady Healthcare SystemHospice of GreensboroMailman Center for Child Development Mission Children’s HospitalMoffitt Cancer CenterNational Multiple Sclerosis SocietyNemours Children’s ClinicNorth Broward Hospital DistrictSt. Vincent’s Medical Center Transylvania Community Hospital

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Deliver the Dream (DTD) has proudly added two esteemed professionals to its dedicated staff: Terri Wallace Flannery has been hired as director of develop-ment, reporting to Executive Director Matt Pieper, and Susan Bellomy has come on board as program manager, reporting to Retreat Director Donna Hardy.

In her capacity as director of devel-opment, Terri is responsible for the strategic direction and management of DTD’s fund development program. Terri came to DTD after nearly seven years with the Cystic Fibrosis Founda-tion. While at CFF, she started out as the executive director for the south Florida region, before being promoted to a statewide position as director of Corporate Development. Terri has a master’s degree in Sports Administra-tion and her professional career includes various positions in marketing,

new business development and community relations. Her community volunteer service is extensive, recently being selected by the Super Bowl XLI Host Committee to assist in corporate marketing activities, and she is also an active member of the Leadership Broward Foundation.

A native Floridian from Titusville, FL, Susan Bellomy graduated from Florida State University with a BS in Family, Child and Health Sci-ences. She then moved to Orlando, FL and became the Entertain-ment Coordinator at Give Kids The World, a non-profit resort for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. After two years at GKTW, she moved to Jacksonville, FL and joined as the Hematology/Oncol-ogy Child Life Specialist at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. For nearly six years she worked closely with children and families helping to create a positive experience during the difficult time of hospitalization. She holds a master’s of Education from the University of North Florida. As Deliver the Dream’s program manager, Susan will play a leadership role in planning and overseeing retreat weekends.

Flannery and Bellomy Join Dream Team

New to the Dream

Terri Wallace Flannery

Susan Bellomy

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“We had no idea that our little business would grow to become the J.R. Dunn Jewelers (http://store.jrdunn.com) of today,” says J.R. Dunn founder, Jim Dunn. In 1969, Jim and wife, Ann Marie, opened The House of Gems, which they operated in a small home they purchased in Hanover, MA. This is where they quickly realized the importance of strong relationships and integrity. Today J. R. Dunn Jewelers has grown to an 8000-square-foot showroom featur-ing the world’s most renowned Swiss watches and designer jewelry.

Jim and Ann Marie are joined by son, Sean, who is now one of three certified gemologists on staff. In addition, Ann Marie’s brother, Robert Pelliccia, heads the talented J.R. Dunn team of designers. Robert has earned the prestigious DeBeers “Diamonds Today” Award three times! Together, the Dunns will continue to treat their clientele with the same standards of ex-cellence established all those years ago in a tiny house in Massachusetts.

Presenting Sponsor Spotlight

2006 GalaContinued from page 1

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CVMA Group Holdings, Inc., headed by chairmen Chris Vitito and Matt Argue, is the parent company of INViSiON Industries (www.invisionindustries.com). INViSiON Industries has revolutionized the way in which new car dealers obtain mobile video products. They offer top of the line OEM Factory Match™ Headrest replacement systems straight to the dealer, bypassing traditional sources. The

INViSiON philosophy is one of complete customer service. Core exchange on warranty parts as well as matching factory warranties has provided added security to the dealer that most sources are not able to provide. Maintaining strong relationships with their customers is key in developing the long term relationships that they strive for.

Presenting Sponsor Spotlight

THE CRASH: We were all in a state of shock and disbelief–this is not real, it can’t be real, this cannot really be happening. We listened to the doctors in a fog of disbelief, waiting to wake up from this nightmare which we knew would never end. Our daily and future plans came to a crashing halt; it seemed what we had in our lives was gone. All we could do was wait to see what happens tomorrow; we stopped planning and started living from one day to the next. Our lives were no longer in our control; we were at the mercy of this horrible illness. Close friends and family pitched in where they could, with words of comfort, understanding and warm meals. They watched our children while we dealt with doctors and hospitals. During our quiet times of waiting, we cried and prayed to God for a mira-cle and asked, “Why her?” and “Why us?” We prayed what all parents pray, to let it be “me” instead of “her”. But neither answers nor miracles came, only doctors, hospitals and bills.

BACK AT HOME: We came togeth-er as a family to fight this horrible illness; we were strong and leaned on each other for support. We will beat this illness, yes we will! I struggled with the pressures of my job, dealing

with doctors and hospitals, and the medical bills that would not go away. My wife began balancing time spent at home, school and trips to the doctors on a daily basis. We didn’t have much time for each other and when we did, our discussions focused solely on the illness, doctors and hospitals. Our kids were confused, what was wrong with their sister? They were constantly at friends or

relatives, or quietly playing in their rooms while we concentrated on beating the illness - which had now consumed our lives.

THE INVITATION: We received an invitation to attend a retreat offered to families in crisis. But the invitation was untimely, we were no longer in crisis, the ‘crash’ was years ago. We’re fine now, we’ve learned to live with the illness. We’ve gone to Disney and

Sea World to escape on many occa-sions. What could Deliver the Dream possibly offer us that we haven’t tried on our own? I agree to ask the wife and kids just to be polite. Boy was I surprised when they said it would be nice to meet other families going through the same crisis. We booked the trip. NORTH CAROLINA: We’re

driving through the mountains, it’s beautiful. Somewhere in the back of my mind John Denver’s song “Carolina on My Mind” is playing as I ad-mire the country side. We arrive at the retreat; it’s in the woods surrounded by mountains, quiet and peaceful. We stroll over to a family-style dinner. We looked around at the other families, wonder-ing what they’ve been through and feeling like maybe we shouldn’t be

here, our crisis was years ago, we’ve adjusted. We could see the fami-lies that had just started down the road we were all too familiar with: the frail bodies, the bald heads, the sunken eyes and the visible exhaus-tion. Wow, I had forgotten what we have been through. We’re still fighting, but the MRI’s, treatments, and tests have become routine for us. We are hardened by our years of living with the cancer.

SURVIVING THE CRASHReflections of the Effects of Cancer on a Father and a Family

By Maurice Jemison

Maurice Jemison is the father of Kaley, a 12-year-old girl who has been surviving with a brain tumor since August of 1995. Upon returning from a retreat weekend in Western, North Carolina,

he shares his reflections on his family’s courageous journey to healing.

The Jemison family (L to R) Brittany, Vickie, Kaley, Maurice & Brooke

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Join The Dream Believers Society

Deliver the Dream is pleased to announce that the 2006 Dream Believers Society campaign is underway! The Dream Believers Society represents Deliver the Dream’s most generous donors. Please check your mailboxes for an invitation to join or renew your membership and be a part of this wonderfully dedicated

society that helps shape the future of spreading hope and renewal to those families in need.

To learn more about the Dream Believers Society or to become a member visit: www.deliverthedream.org or call 888-OUR DREAM (687-3250)

ICE BREAKER: After dinner, we all met as a group in a great room with many couches. The children played musical games while their parents relaxed on couches and watched. It is amazing to see these kids, many of whom have recently gone through nothing less than absolute torture and pain, still happy, energetic and laugh-ing. Children are amazing. Their spirits can make you laugh when you feel like crying. Through their laughter, we are able to relax and appreciate how lucky we are. We knew right then that we would be able to let down our guard and talk openly about our fears, hopes, and lives to those who share our plight. THE ROAD: Because we had been down this road for so many years,

many of the families who were just be-ginning to deal with the illness found us to be a great inspiration. A family that had survived what they were go-ing through! In essence, we were a sign of hope, proof that they themselves could survive this as well. Although it

is sad to know that we are not the only ones on this road, it was nice to meet others that could relate to what we are going through, share in our hope, and share with us things they had learned through their experiences. We learned a lot about ourselves, our family and

the illness that had become an integral part of our lives.

THE DREAM: I was wrong, our crisis was not over years ago, it was there just as strong as ever–we simply adjusted and accepted it as our fate. We buried it, acknowledged it only when necessary, and went on the best we could with our “normal” lives. Although we could no longer see our own crisis, our friends and family could. The Deliver the Dream retreat gave us what all the other “escape” retreats could not, it allowed us an opportunity to discuss our crisis, acknowledge it, and find hope for our future. It pulled our family to-gether and renewed our spirits. We are forever grateful.

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Hitting the Links to Help a Worthy Cause

Date Set for 5th Annual JM Lexus Charity Golf Tournament

More than 60 community and business leaders will help raise funds for Deliver the Dream (DTD) by hitting the links at Palm Aire Country Club in Pompano Beach, FL.

The event will consist of a pairings party on Friday, September 8, 2006 at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino with the golf tournament scheduled for Saturday, September 9, 2006. To receive a sponsorship packet or player entry form, please contact DTD’s Director of Development, Terri Wallace Flannery, at 954-949-2726 or terri.flannery@deliverthedream.org

“Our lives were no longer in our control;

we were at the mercy of this horrible illness.”

Jim Dunn, JM Lexus General Manager & JM Family Executive Vice President Gary Thomas enjoyed playing in last year’s tournament.

Mark Your Calendars!

RetReat CalendaR foR the BalanCe of 2006

August 3 – 6, 2006Mission Children’s Hospital

Families who have a child with Down’s SyndromeAmicalola Falls - Dawsonville, GA

August 24 – 27, 2006Mailman Center for Child Development

Families who have a child with a primary immune deficiencySandpiper Resort - Port St. Lucie, FL

September 21 – 24, 2006Hospice of Greensboro

Families that have experienced the death of a child Kanuga Conference Center - Hendersonville, NC

October 19 – 22, 2006American Cancer Society,

Florida Division Families who have a child with a brain tumor

Sandpiper Resort - Port St. Lucie, FL

November 2 – 5, 2006Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Families who have a child with leukemiaAmicalola Falls - Dawsonville, GA

November 30 – December 3, 2006St. Vincent’s Medical Center

Families who have a parent with cancerRiver Ranch - Lake Wales, FL

H H H

fundRaising CalendaR

September 8 & 9 2006JM Lexus Charity Golf Event

Palm Aire Country ClubPompano Beach, FL

March 3, 2007Jeans and Dreams Gala

Sawgrass Marriott Resort & SpaPonte Vedra Beach, FL

April 20, 2007Denim and Diamonds Gala

Marriott Harbor Beach ResortFort Lauderdale, FL

190 Jim Moran BoulevardDeerfield Beach, Florida 33442

JM Lexus Charity Golf EventSeptember 8 & 9, 2006

Save The Date!

PRESORTEDFIRST CLASS MAILU.S. POSTAGE PAID

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLPERMIT #1

Graphic Design donated by:JM Family EnterprisesCreative Services

Mending Spirits is aquarterly newsletter published by Deliver the Dream, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Deliver the Dream, Inc.190 Jim Moran BoulevardDeerfield Beach, FL 33442

Contributing writers to this issue:Rick Catlett Tracy ParsonsChad Donaghue Matt Pieper Terri Flannery Jason SimpsonMaurice Jemison