A Brief History of Dreams for Kids Network

It all started in 1995 for a 5th grade student, in a small town in rural Colorado, with a dream that became a reality. Some kids have dreams of future careers, doing something for someone else, some dream of travel or fishing trips, some dream of meeting their real parents or spending Christmas with dad. Some student's dream of meeting that special sports hero or actor. This young man had a dream to meet the President of the United States. Our only request of the young man was that he do his best job each and every day, behaviorally and academically. With the agreement from the young man, we set out to make the dream a reality.

Recognizing this may be difficult, our Dream Team set out with one thing in mind, no was not an option. Phone calls were quickly directed towards the White House. Within a week, the White House advised us that the President had agreed to make the students dream come true. Amidst an awful winter snowstorm, a team member of Dreams for Kids Network escorted the student and his mother. After arriving at a military base in East Denver, we were directed to a small room in an airplane hanger to eagerly await the meeting. With little notice, the door opened and President Bill Clinton stepped into the room and greeted the student and his mother with open arms. Hugs were exchanged and their 20-minute personal visit happened. Our first dream come true!

While realizing this students dream had come true, something very special happened. A common interest was discovered during their visit. Both the President and the student shared an interest in model cars. Following this visit, President Clinton sent the student a model of his first car, which was kept in the Oval office. Over the next 2 years, the student received other model cars, birthday cards from the Clinton's and a special invitation to the President's second inauguration. Every month, at the request of President Clinton, the White House would call to check on the student's progress. This very special relationship had a profound impact on the life of the student. The student who had once received near failing grades completed high school with a B average. If the President of the United States could take the time to make a dream come true for a 5th grade student in rural Colorado, dreams could come true anywhere.