Helping Make Final Veteran Dreams Come True
A Dream to Return to ‘Big Mo’
As the 65th anniversary of V-J Day approached in 2010, Navy Veteran Frank Borrell had a final Dream. He wanted to visit the U.S.S. Missouri in Hawaii, where so many of his fellow sailors had died.
He was 94 and had only a few months left to live, doctors said.
Borrell was proud of his service. He had served on “Big Mo” and been a witness to the Japanese surrender. Borrell and his daughter asked for help from Dream Foundation to go to Hawaii and visit the Missouri while he still could. Thanks to the organization’s support and the help of other volunteer groups and the military, Borrell was able to achieve his Dream and was honored with a motorcade and military ceremonies that recognized his service.
Borrell died 3 months after his trip to Hawaii at 95.
Granting Dreams for 30 Years
For 30 years, the Santa Barbara, California-based Dream Foundation has been making end-of-life Dreams come true. In 2015, the program added Dreams for Veterans, tailoring the experiences to Veterans and their families. Dream Foundation is the only nationwide nonprofit granting last Dreams to terminally ill adults. It relies only on private donations and corporate support, not government funding, and has granted the Dreams of more than 35,000 people since 1994. In the past decade, Dreams for Veterans has served more than 1,200 Dreams for Veterans, active service members, and members of the Reserve and National Guard.
Creating Memories Together
According to public relations consultant Dani Cordaro, while the group helps with large requests like Borrell’s, they also grant smaller ones to make life more comfortable for Veterans, like an iPad to keep them in touch with loved ones. The average cost of a Dream is about $2,300. But big or small, the Dreams focus on closure and joy for both the Veterans and their families, she explained. “So many times, it’s (the discussion) about doctor’s appointments and medication and all they are thinking about is the disease. And then, they have two days or three hours or a week with their loved ones where they can just enjoy being with one another and creating those memories.”
The group helps fund caregivers when Veterans are offered honor flights and works closely with social workers at the Veterans Administration to help support Vets who have a special need or request.
Helping Improve the End of Life
Dream Foundation’s VP of Programs Barbara Schoch often hears from the Veterans’ caregivers that their Dream trips and donations have given Vets something to look forward to, which can improve their mental and physical health: “Even in the planning phase, now they have something to look forward to. They are doing better. They are excited for what’s to come. In the lead time, there’s already an improvement in their well-being. After the Dream, we’ll hear from caregivers that it was the best to see a spark in their Veteran’s eyes. They tell us, ‘I haven’t seen them laugh in years. This was the best gift you could have given, not just to the recipient but to all of us.’”
How Dreams Help Veterans and Families
According to Dream Foundation staff, the Dreams they fulfill bring comfort and peace to the Veterans and their loved ones and caregivers. They can play a critical role in the focus of an improved quality of life for Veterans and their families during this precious time. The program coordinators explain that the Dreams can give joy, comfort, and closure at the end of life.
Most importantly, Schoch says many of those who receive a Dream, and their families, regain their belief in humanity. “That’s what we hear over and over again, sometimes five, eight years after somebody had their Dream, I’ll get a note from a family member and they’ll say, ‘You really gave us back that belief that people are good. There are good people out there that care for each other, that are kind to those that aren’t doing so well.’” I think that’s really important, especially today, Schoch explained.
Cordaro says that the Dreams give families the gift of time together. “It’s just about taking a moment away from reality and enjoying being with their loved ones.”
Who Qualifies for the Dreams
To qualify for the program, the recipients must live in the United States, be U.S. military Veterans, active service members or members of the reserve or national guard, 18 years of age or older, be diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, and have a life expectancy of 12 months or less. They also must not have the financial means to pay for the experience themselves. Those who can’t find their discharge papers or don’t want to submit them can apply for the regular Dream Program.
Learn More, Application Information, and How to Help
To receive an application, you can apply online or download a PDF. Questions or requests for more information can be sent to application@dreamfoundation.org. There are certain Dreams that the organization does not fulfill.
You can help the Dreams for Veterans program by donating time or resources. For more information, contact DFV@dreamfoundation.org. In 2024, volunteers donated more than 10,000 hours to the organization.
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