Working her shift at the Wendy’s Restaurant on DreamLift Day paid big dividends for Penticton Coun. Katie Robinson.
Only her reward did not come in any form of currency.
“You ask why I do this, that’s the reason,” she said with a smile and a nod in the direction of 11-year-old Damien Leclair who had just given her a huge hug.
Damien, a Grade 5 student at Queen’s Park Elementary school, was one of those special kids who got to go to Disneyland in December thanks to DreamLift.
Damien and another Queen’s Park student, Nate Morgan who also did the trip to California, were at the Wendy’s Wednesday for a burger and fries with principal Rob Zoppi.
“It is just such a wonderful charity and any time you can send a couple more kids like him to Disneyland always makes it worthwhile,” said Robinson who was among the many VIPs who donated their time. “It’s so nice to be able to give back and the generosity of this community never ceases to astound me.”
Damien also expressed his appreciation to Orange County, Calif., Sheriff Mike Toledo with a hug resulting in smile that will likely last the return flight home.
“That’s just the way he is, he loves to hug,” said Damien’s mom Elise.
In spite of the inclement weather conditions throughout the valley, $108,610.35 was raised by the nine participating Interior restaurants.
“We could speculate on what could have or would have happened if we did not have winter weather, but we are extremely pleased with the results,” said Wendy’s area partner Todd Lewis. “This is about helping to put smiles on kids faces and the money raised will help do just that.”
The trips are organized through the Interior chapter of the Sunshine Foundation of Canada. This was the 20th anniversary of DreamLift which has raised a total of $1,332,955.