The Dream Factory Bowling Green makes children's dreams come true

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) - The Dream Factory Bowling Green is part of the largest all-volunteer-driven, wish-granting organization in the country. The local chapter, serving the same ten counties as BRADD, has been in existence for over 30 years.

What makes this organization different from national wish-granting programs is that the money they raise stays in the communities where it was raised.

“The money that we raise from any fundraisers or in the area stays in the area and benefits the children from this area and that’s what makes us different from other organizations that raise money nationally,” said Staci Talley, Director of Dream Factory Bowling Green.

Another difference between Dream Factory and other national organizations is that their mission is not limited to children with terminal illnesses. They believe that children with chronic illnesses and disorders also suffer from substantial emotional and physical pain.

According to the CDC, more than 40% of school-aged children and adolescents in the United States have at least one chronic illness. These illnesses often require ongoing medical attention and limit their activities of daily living.

“They’ve spent countless days hours months sometimes years and when we can grant them a dream they get some time to just be a kid and they get time to be the center of attention, but they just get to be a regular kid to get something that they have they deserve more than anyone else,” Talley said.

Children can be referred to the program to have their wish granted online, through a volunteer, or a partner organization. Parents will be given an application to be filled out and returned to the Dream Factory.

“That application is then sent to our board doctor who oversees the diagnosis and then determines if they’re eligible or not,” Talley said.

If a child is approved, then a volunteer will consult with the child to find out what wish they would like to have granted. However, there are limits to what they can provide. For example, the Dream Factory cannot provide families with animals or vehicles and each dream is determined by the child’s wants.

Those who would like to volunteer can also apply online.

Next month, the Dream Factory will be holding its second “Taste of Bowling Green” fundraising event. This will be the second annual event since the end of the pandemic.

“It’s a night to come together and socialize and just enjoy yourself. Tickets can be purchased in advance. All the proceeds from the taste of Bowling Green stay with our chapter,” Talley said.

Ticket and other information for the event can be found on their website or Facebook page.

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