Girl Scouts help make dreams come true

   Dream catchers. That’s the phrase that came to mind as I watched Girl Scout Troop 545 interview residents of the Golden Living Center in Lawrenceville.

   These young ladies from Dacula Middles School, with their leaders Rosanne Larkins and Diane Hickey, were gathering dreams for a national non-profit organization called Second Wind Dreams.

   Glen Serra, program director for SWD in metro Atlanta calls it a Make-A-Wish Foundation for senior citizens. He said a lack of dreams can have physical and mental consequences, but fulfilling dreams improves the quality of life in both areas. . Often as these dreams unfold, the local community connects with older adults and forms special relationships with them. Long after a dream has been fulfilled, the effects linger, giving everyone involved a second wind.

   Celebrating its tenth year, SWD now makes dreams come true in 250 nursing homes in the United States, Canada and India. SWD has fulfilled lifelong dreams like a camel ride, nostalgic dreams like a horse and buggy ride, and simple need-based dreams like a cup holder for a wheelchair. A cantor’s dream came true when another cantor came to talk with him in Hebrew and in India, a man realized his dream of recording songs he had written for his grandchildren.

   Serra was ecstatic about SWD’s most recent dream turned to reality. A former calculus teacher had suddenly become paralyzed. She was living in Charlotte and desperately wanted to go home to her family in Cincinnati. Due to her condition, the $10,000 cost for transportation was prohibitive. Thanks to connections made through SWD, a trucking company in St. Louis carried her home free just in time for Christmas.

   But most of the dreams the Girl Scouts gathered at the Golden Living Center are more easily attainable. One lady would like to become an artist and have her own art show. A World War II veteran would like to go fishing. Other dreams include riding in an airplane, going swimming and riding a horse just one more time. And a lot of the ladies just want to get out and shop til’ they drop.

   Activities Director Karen Strength said any of these dreams are workable, but since many of these people have no family, they need help from the community. 

   Troop 545 may not have the resources to fulfill all of these dreams, but they are making sure that every resident at Golden Living Center gets a gift for Christmas. By teaming up with Dacula Middle School’s Future Business Leaders of America, they will present a handmade lap robe to everyone at the center.

   Keri Beth Tidmore, the FBLA sponsor said, “FBLA is excited to help Girl Scout Troop 545 with this project. Mrs. Larkins came to me with the idea of making the lap robes after our FBLA members expressed a desire to give back to the community during the holiday season.”

   But after Christmas, these people will still have their dreams. And it looks like many will be fulfilled. The center has a van and can transport residents to the mall and other places around the county. Strength and I have discussed ideas for the art show. And Larkins and I brainstormed about all the Gwinnett County parks that have lakes. Certainly someone out there somewhere would like to take an old soldier fishing.

   For more information or to get involved visit www.secondwind.org .

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