The Ageless Dreamer® Foundation, making our oldest generation’s dreams come true!
For most of us, dreams are the things that life is made of. But in today’s society, if you’re older, dreaming is, too often, in vain. The Ageless Dreamer® Foundation is dedicated to the sole proposition that being part of our oldest generation is no reason for having to dream in vain.
Founded in January 2006 the Ageless Dreamer® Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to making dreams come true for those over the age of seventy.
Why should you be a member?
Your membership will help make dreams come true, bring bright smiles, help create fond memories and offer a new take on lives that may be lonely and unfulfilled. Being a member says that you have “An attitude worth having®”! It will bring a smile to your own face and renewed spring to your step.
Ageless Dreamer® Redefines The Age Old Meaning of Old Age
“When I dream, I am ageless”. Author, Elizabeth Coatsworth wrote these words in one of her many books during the latter part of her life before she died at age 93 (1893-1986). The Ageless Dreamer® Foundation is thrilled to have recently received written permission from her daughter, who now, is also 93, to use her Mother’s quote – as she so kindly wrote, “…in your good work.”
Laura Johnson holding sign of her dreams as she prepares for her ride on her 101st birthday.
Imagine being born in 1906 and dreaming of riding a Harley in 2007? You may have seen photos of Laura J. last year in the news when she “hit the road”, helmet and all, thanks to the generosity of Seacoast Harley Davidson. At 100 years old, Laura declared she would “live free or ride” and do it again and, indeed, she did. On May 22 Laura celebrated the week of her 101st birthday by riding in the sidecar of a Harley, going further than she did on the first ride now that she was experienced! That’s what the Ageless Dreamer® Foundation calls an attitude worth having®.
Founded in Dover NH on Jan. 10, 2006, this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has set its sights on redefining the age-old definition of old age. Making unfulfilled dreams come true for our oldest generation will help in re-engaging them back into the communities they helped build.
Dream requests typically come from Activity Directors in nursing or assisted living homes, although we’ve finally begun to receive a few from adult children and relatives. The Dream Committee, consisting of Board Members, review and recommend which dream requests we currently may be able to facilitate. A major goal for Ageless Dreamer® is to be adopted by Rotary International as one of its service arms. With most Board members being Rotarians, it certainly feels like an excellent goal for the near future.
In August a dream request was received from Portsmouth’s Edgewood Center for a retired Chiropractor who was driving through town a few years ago and suffered a stroke. With no immediate family, he remained at Edgewood, yet dreamed of going to his upcoming 55th Homecoming Reunion in Illinois. With no frequent flier miles accumulated (yet) at the Ageless Dreamer® office, the Dream Team paused, also realizing there was only ten days before the event. This was a big test. After dozens of phone calls and the assist of Senator Sununu’s office, we were able to speak directly with Southwest Airlines and secure, at no cost, the necessary tickets for the dream recipient and his two nursing aids. The President of National University of Health Sciences waived all Homecoming expenses and picked up the cost of three hotel rooms for three nights. The Hoyer Lift was provided at no cost by Aprie Health Care (Illinois).
Wheelchair transportation, to and from the hotel, became the most challenging and was resolved less than 12 hours before the plane lifted from Manchester. After dozens of calls searching for handicap transportation from the airport, a desperate call was made to locate a Rotarian in Illinois who might help. The Rotary slogan, Service Above Self, certainly was shown by Holmwood, Illinois Rotarians, Drs. Ruth and Aldridge Locke. Upon hearing the plea for transportation, they researched, scheduled, and paid for the round trip transportation - $225. Even they were surprised at the difficulty in locating wheelchair transport from the Airport.
The estimated cost for this dream event, not including time spent orchestrating, or volunteer time from two caregivers, was $3,005. All pro bono.
Growing up around horses, our next recipient dreamed of riding a donkey. At 99 years old, it was decided that it would not be wise to ride such an untamed animal, however, Grace N. could still savor her dream to spend some time with donkeys. Fifty-five miniature donkeys welcomed her (and many of her friends) earlier this year to a farm in Barrington NH. All the while, back at Dover’s Wentworth Home, the chef was cooking up Mexican fare for lunch and volunteers had transformed the dining room into a colorful Fiesta! Grace dreamed about meeting donkeys and now could enjoy the memories. Cost: Priceless.
During the 4th of July weekend, the Wentworth family of Rochester, owners of seven Dunkin’ Donuts franchises (Progressive Foods, Inc) held a Dollar for a Dream fund-raiser.
Ageless Dreamer® founder, Laurie Widmark of Dover (above) displays a $3,164 check provided by the generosity of Dunkin’ Donuts customers in Rochester and Somersworth. With Widmark, from left, are Rochester Main Street Executive Director Chip Noon, Christel Sampson and Christine Deblois of Dunkin’ Donuts, John Carrol, Operations Manager, Regina Wentworth-Mondoux, holding the Attitude Seal of Approval® Award of Appreciation.
A terrific success, raising $3,164 in only two days, Progressive Foods, Inc. received the Attitude Seal of Approval®. This award is a public recognition to the viewing and buying public that the business, manufacturer, or provider respects and acknowledges the mission of the Ageless Dreamer® Foundation.
Dreams do come true…
Your memberships, donations, and volunteer work allow us to continue to help make these dreamers’ dreams a reality!
Join today!
Ageless Dreamer Approval
Robert Lamson, representing the Ageless Dreamer Foundation Board of Directors, awards John Lippert, general manager of Staples in Somersworth, the foundation’s Attitude Seal of Approval.
This award is a public recognition to the viewing and buying public that the business, manufacturer, or provider respects and acknowledges the mission of the Ageless Dreamer® Foundation. Staples’ generous printing support during the July Fourth Dollar for a Dream fund-raising campaign sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts in Rochester and Somersworth made the campaign a huge success.
Ageless Dreamer Foundation
P.O. Box 0457
Dover New Hampshire 03821-0457
McConnell Center
61 Locust Street, Suite 302A
Dover, NH 03820-3753
(603) 953-0006
Brochures 
The Ageless Dreamer® Foundation, making our oldest generation’s dreams come true!
