The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Dufresne Furniture & Appliances, in collaboration with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, today announce the eighth annual Dream Day will take place Wednesday, July 10 at Princess Auto Stadium.
The event aims to provide 40 newly-immigrated and local children in need with the gift of a better night’s rest and will include a variety of activities designed to create lasting memories for the children in attendance.
“Every child deserves to be in the spotlight, and we are honoured to offer that experience with this event,” said Wade Miller, President and CEO of the Winnipeg Football Club. “Dream Day is full of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, like running out of the tunnel at Princess Auto Stadium and playing on the turf with Blue Bombers players.”
Dream Day Highlights:
- Dream Kit: Each child will receive a personalized Blue Bombers jersey along with team merchandise
- On-field Activities: Children will participate in fun activities with Blue Bombers players, mascots, and the Cheer & Dance team.
- Big Surprise: Every child will receive a new bed to take home.
“As a 100% volunteer organization we cannot do this alone,” said Jim Thiessen, President of Sleep In Heavenly Peace Winnipeg. “We are grateful that Dufresne Furniture & Appliances and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are collaborating with us for their Dream Day event. Fifty beds will ultimately be delivered and installed for children in need, making a positive difference in each of their lives and going a long way in helping us tackle our waiting list.”
“At Dufresne, we know the gift of sleep is more than a mattress,” said Christine Reimer, VP Marketing of Dufresne Furniture & Appliances. “A healthy night’s rest helps kids think better, it keeps them strong, and most importantly, it lets them Dream Big. Today wouldn’t be possible without our amazing community partners from Sleep in Heavenly Peace and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.”
Media are invited to attend on Wednesday, July 10 at 3:45 p.m. when the children will make their grand entrance onto the field in their new jerseys. Any media wishing to attend any portion of the event should contact the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
NOTE: The bed donation is a surprise for the children, so please be mindful not to mention this to the children or their families, and please do not mention it if you are doing any pre-coverage of the event.
About Dufresne Furniture & Appliances’ Dream Big Program:
For the last decade, Dufresne Furniture & Appliances has been helping people dream big by donating new mattresses to those in need through its Dream Big program. To date, the Dream Big program has given over 1,150 mattresses to people in need in 12 communities across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Northwestern Ontario. To learn more about the Dream Big program and how to request a mattress for someone in need, please visit: https://dufresne.ca/pages/dreambig.
About Sleep in Heavenly Peace Winnipeg:
Established in January 2020, Sleep in Heavenly Peace Winnipeg (SHP) is a non-profit charity made up of a group of volunteers dedicated to building and delivering handmade beds, new mattresses, and bedding to local children. SHP is committed to building a stronger community by partnering with Manitoban organizations to get children off the floor and create a sense of worth and dignity for families most in need. To learn more, visit: www.shpbeds.ca/chapter/mb-winnipeg/
Media Contacts:
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Savannah Ginter, Community Relations Coordinator
T: 204 784-7414
E: sginter@bluebombers.com
Dufresne Furniture and Appliance
Callie McLaughlin, Community Engagement Marketing Manager
Dufresne Furniture & Appliance
T: 204.223-1214
E: cmclaughlin@dufresne.ca
Sleep in Heavenly Peace Winnipeg
Jim Thiessen, Chapter President
T: 204.480.2746
E: jim.thiessen@shpbeds.org