SKI FREEZE 2024 TO GRANT BRANSON'S DREAM
Hosted by the Collierville Ski Club
Join us New Year’s Day 2024 for the 47th Annual Ski Freeze hosted by the Collierville Ski Club. This annual event includes water skiers braving the ice cold water of the Mississippi River to help raise funds for the Dream Factory of Memphis. We will grant Branson T’s Dream for a backyard cabin with the proceeds. He is a 9-year-old from Munford, TN diagnosed with Fabry’s Disease, a rare genetic disorder. With your help, we’ll make his Dream Come True!
Here are the details for about Ski Freeze 2024. We hope to see you there!
41st annual bartlett pancake breakfast
On Saturday, October 14th, the 41st Annual Bartlett Pancake Breakfast was held at the Bartlett Station Municipal Center on Stage Road, which is organized by the Bartlett Reserve Firefighters. This annual community event raises funds for the Dream Factory, Christmas food baskets, and more.
It is not just breakfast, but a family event. Fire Chief Tommy Gately said, “it not only raises funds for charities, but it gives our fire department a chance to educate our community about fire safety and interact with the entire family.”
The Bartlett Fire Department has partnered with the Dream Factory for many years. They have sponsored several Dreams from the breakfast’s proceeds. Chief Gately introduced two past Dream Recipients…Brittany B and River T to a packed house to tell everyone what their Dream was and what it meant to them.
We are grateful for the partnership with the Bartlett Fire Department that was forged more than 20 years ago and for the hard work of the Reserve Firefighters and all the event volunteers who make this happen each year.
Ski freeze 2023...a perfect new year's day
We are excited to report that Ski Freeze 2023 was a perfect 70° and sunny!
Near record net revenues were just shy of $24,000, enough to fulfill about five (5) dreams to critically and chronically ill children in the Mid-South. Our first Dream granted, with these funds, will send Paris and her family to Disney World in Orlando this March. https://skifreeze.com/recipient.php
Thanks to our key sponsors for their generous support.
- Event Host – Collierville Ski Club (hosting Ski Freeze benefitting Dream Factory since 1988)
- Media Partner TV Spots – WMC-TV5
- Media Partner Billboard Ads – Trezevant Enterprises
- Title Sponsors – Automotive Parts Associates and Pronto Network Cooperative
- Boat & Equipment Sponsor – Boat Center Memphis
- Web Design – Altsol Group
- Pre-Rider Biker Breakfast – JC Cycles
We also thank Mud Island Marina for welcoming us to ski from their dock due to the low MS River level.
Finally, a special call out to all the volunteers, participants, bikers, and attendees who make this a victory year after year, including Dixie Swine BBQ Team and FAITH Riders for providing food and beverages.
Happy New Year and thank you. We’ll see you next year!
BARTLETT ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST
It is more than a fund raiser for several causes including the Dream Factory. It is the Bartlett, TN community sitting down for an all you can eat breakfast for 40 years. The Annual Pancake Breakfast is hosted by the Bartlett Fire Department and spearheaded by Bartlett Reserve Firefighters.
The Dream Factory has been privileged to be a recipient of a portion of the funds raised each year and they have sponsored many dreams over the years. This year, Gavin, a 14-year-old from Bartlett diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, and his family were special guests for the Bartlett Annual Pancake Breakfast. Dream Factory volunteers came early to decorate his table in a New Orleans Saints/Football theme.
As guests arrived for the breakfast, Dream Factory volunteers were there to greet them and give them some information about the Dream Factory. In addition, Chief Terry Wiggins gave us an opportunity to tell the attendees about Gavin, his Dream to meet see the New Orleans Saints and the Dream Factory’s mission.
Our partnership with the Bartlett Fire Department was formed over 20 years ago and they have made significant contributions to the Dream Factory of Memphis. Our heartfelt thanks to the Bartlett Fire Department for their generous spirit. Also, thanks to the Dream Factory volunteers, Karen Knight, Dianne West, Dee Williams, and past Dream Recipient Brittany Bolton (granted August 21, 1988) who is now 34 years old. We look forward to next year’s Annual Pancake Breakfast and our continued partnership with the City of Bartlett and the Bartlett Fire Department.
ski freeze 2023 - new year's day
Join us January 1, 2023 for the 44th Annual Ski Freeze to benefit the Dream Factory of Memphis and hosted by the Collierville Ski Club. This unique event is open to the public. Skiers, wakeboarders, and barefooters will brave the icy cold water of the Mississippi River for a short spin around Wolf River Harbor to raise funds to help grant a deserving child a dream.
WHEN: January 1, 2023
WHERE: Mud Island Boat Ramp, 123 S. Front Street, Memphis, TN 38138
TIME: Registration begins at 10:30AM
COST: $30 for participants
Meddlesome brewing co. meandering 0.5k benefits dream factory of memphis on nov 5th
Moose Lodge #2206 Donates $2,213 to Dream Factory
On April 25, 2022, James Caraway (Moose Lodge 2206 President & Dream Factory Volunteer) presented Brian Juengling (Dream Factory Volunteer) with a check for $2,213 from the net proceeds of the Bull Moose BBQ and Poker Run event. In addition, the Women of The Moose #2090 donated $100.
Our thanks to the Moose Lodge Members for their generosity and commitment to helping us make Dreams Come True!
SOMERVILLE MOOSE LODGE HOSTS FUND RAISER
On April 15-16, 2022, the Somerville Moose Lodge #2206 will be hosting their Annual Bull Moose BBQ Contest and Poker Run. Net Proceeds from both events will benefit the Dream Factory of Memphis. During the event, a raffle will be held for donated items with 100% of the proceeds helping the Dream Factory. We hope you make plans to join us!
Ski Freeze 2022 Funds will grant over 4 Dreams
We are excited to announce that Ski Freeze 2022 was a huge success despite canceling the event due to severe weather with net revenue over $23,000.
We want to thank the Collierville Ski Club, WMC-TV5, Trezevant Enterprises and all of our event sponsors for your efforts, which made this a great event AGAIN! Thomas, whose dream the event will sponsor, leaves for Orlando mid-April. Here is part of an email I received from his mother, which truly sums up the impact you make on the special kids we are privileged to serve.
“First, let me say just how excited I am. I have not stopped thinking about this trip since we hung up. It all just hit me that we are taking him to Disney. Cam, my daughter, has been showing him YouTube videos of the rides. I am not sure who is going to love watching Thomas more on these rides. I just can’t say enough how much I appreciate you and the generosity of The Dream Factory.”
SKI FREEZE 2022 NEW YEAR'S DAY
Hosted by the Collierville Ski Club
Proceeds To Grant Thomas' Dream!
Thomas L is a 15-year-old from Germantown, TN diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and is G-Tube dependent. His favorite Disney character is Mickey Mouse, and his dream is to travel to Orlando in 2022 to meet Mickey in person.
Here is a heartfelt note from his mom Cindy, so you can get to know him better.
“I adopted him from China when he was 16 months old. His paperwork indicated that he was found on the street wrapped in a blanket weighing a couple of pounds. He weighed 9 pounds when he was placed in my arms and was very sick. I took him to hospitals all over country to figure out why he wouldn’t eat. His cerebral palsy affects his gait a little and swallowing but no one was able to figure out why he wouldn’t eat at all. The Drs called it failure to thrive. At age 2, a G-tube was placed. He has thrived ever since. He likes to “play” basketball with his three older siblings and tries to sing to Les Mis. He is limited verbally but can hum the entirety of some songs!”
When we interviewed Thomas about his dream, it was evident that Walt Disney World was his only DREAM. We hope you’ll join us New Year’s Day to help us make Thomas’ Dream Come True!
SKI FREEZE 2021 RAISES OVER $20,000
The Dream Factory of Memphis would like to thank everyone who helped make this year’s event a tremendous success. Despite COVID-19 headwinds, we were able to host the event New Year’s Day. We are excited to report Ski Freeze 2021 raised $20,178, which will grant numerous DREAMS. We originally estimated $12,000 due to the pandemic.
Many thanks to our Event and T-shirt Sponsors for their generosity, allowing us to accomplish this enormous feat. Thanks to our 19 skiers making it the “Ski Freeze”. Finally, thanks the Shelby County Health Department for approving our COVID plan, allowing the Freeze to go on. Notable thanks to:
WMC-TV5, Altsol Group, Parts Plus Motorsports, Crews Realty and The Collierville Ski Club.
The Dream Factory of Memphis is a 100% volunteer, 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to granting dreams to critically and chronically ill children age 3-18 in the Mid-South.
We look forward to next year’s event and hope we can return to our normal format. Until then, we wish you a safe, healthy and Happy New Year!
SKI FREEZE 2021 SPONSOR LIST
PLATINUM SPONOSORS
WMC-TV5
Parts Plus MotorSports
Collierville Ski Club
Altsol Group
GOLD SPONSORS
Alexander, Thompson Arnold PLLC
Automotive Merchandising Corporation
Bruce Coleman Sound
Bumpus Harley Davidson
Crews Realty
Germantown Cleaners
JC Cycles
Memphis Ice Machine Co
Memphis River Parks Partnership
Mid America Parts Distribution Corp
Mid South Instrument Co.
Mike Fay State Farm
MotoNation, LLC
Nixon Family
One Diversified
Polo Wines & Liquors
Premium Parking Corporation
Reeves Lawn Care
Triangle Acoustical Inc
Vining Sparks
Dream Factory "Tap into Dreams" Fundraiser
Our thanks to The Casual Pint for hosting our 1st “Tap into Dreams” Fundraiser on Saturday, March 14th.
The event netted $271.87 in donations. Although the Coronavirus dampened our attendance, it didn’t dampen the spirits of those who attended. We look forward to another event with The Casual Pint and to make it much more successful.