Dream Come True of Western Connecticut was founded in 1984 with one purpose in mind: to grant wishes to seriously, chronically, and terminally ill children from Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven counties.

Dream Come True is a nonprofit, all volunteer organization. There are no administrative costs. Every dollar and in-kind contribution goes directly to helping children fulfill their dreams.

"Some children have a whole lifetime ahead of them
to make their dreams come true.
Others are working on a severely shortened schedule."

Most work for Dream Come True is done from the homes of our board members and volunteers. We receive no government funding nor are we a member of United Way. Donations, which are tax deductible, come from individuals, service organizations, businesses and from a variety of fund raising events.

It is the personal dream of chairman and founder, Kostas Kalogeropoulos, to bring joy to children suffering from illness and relief to parents struggling to cope.

Dream Come True volunteers work year-round to make this vision a reality. Here's a list of our Board members.

Dream Come True is registered with the CT Bureau of Charitable Organizations and is a 501(c)3 organization. We are a tax-exempt organization as provided by IRS regulations and have an affiliation with Dream Come True in PA.

Yankee Pennysaver, western Connecticut's premiere direct-mailed shopping guide, wants to collect one million pennies to support the efforts of Dream Come True of Western Connecticut. "We all have pennies and other coins sitting in jars, drawers and piggy banks that are doing nothing," says Steven Silver, publisher of the Pennysaver and treasurer of DCT. "Let's put them to good use." This is a wonderful way to get the Dream Recipients' peers involved and helping.

During this year-long campaign, with the support of the community, Dream Come True hopes to use these coins to fund two additional dreams for chronically or terminally ill children.

How You Can Help

Bring or mail your pennies, nickels, dimes quarters, dollars or checks to
Dream Come True
c/o Yankee Pennysaver
246 Federal Road,
Brookfield, CT 06804.

If you are making a donation from from this web site, please specify One Million Penny Campaign.

Thank You

While we are facing challenges, progress is being made in achieving our goals for the current year. The year has been exciting. I have had the opportunity to become much more acquainted with the board of directors, volunteers, and particularly those who have spent many years ensuring the survival and continued growth of Dream Come True. We are fortunate to have these dedicated, hard working individuals supporting the Dream Come True Mission.

As most of you know, we just completed our 2008 Gala. Again, I would like to thank the gala chair and vice president, Betsy Delaney, Ed Pickert, the many volunteers, and especially Laurie DoBosh whose institutional knowledge and energy is invaluable. This year many new people were involved with the gala. Many thanks for joining in helping us achieve our mission.

Thanks to so many of you who provided silent and live auction items and financial contributions added to our cash reserves ensuring fulfillment of dreams for 25 new recipients.

Folks, more funds will have to be raised. Fortunately, this year nearly 40 new volunteers stepped forward to help Dream Come True. Here are the areas where help is needed:

Layout and writing our printed newsletter Creating and establishing our e-newsletter Creating and developing an ongoing volunteer e-newsletter Support for the Connecticut Pennysaver One Million Penny fund raising program Support for our dream team interviewing kids PR support ensuring our fund raising events get maximum paper, electronic, and media support New Board Members to help manage the committees needed to make this organization work Support for our Office Administrator

Soon the Dream Come True Board will conduct a strategic planning meeting to establish goals for the future and to begin laying out plans to achieve those objectives.

All of us are committed to the continued survival and success of Dream Come True and the achievement of its most worthy mission: to provide dreams to children who are seriously, chronically, and terminally ill.

I am excited about the future and look forward to your continued support and involvement in achieving our vision.

Jim Lang, President
Dream Come True Western CT