Page 119 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2018

GIVING BACK enhancing life
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of
the Dream Program
Since 2006, the Dream Program has been working to serve and enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities across the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
“Our program provides opportunities for people with disabilities that allow them to participate in organized sports
and other activities they might not otherwise be able to participate in,” said Bill Dungan, executive director of the Dream Program. “While we do offer traditional sports such
as basketball and flag football, we’ve expanded to also include therapeutic horseback riding, tennis, and even art and music.”
Dream’s sports programs are organized into two leagues: varsity and junior varsity, which are based on the skill level of the athletes and their dependency requirements. “We play unified sports, meaning we partner an athlete with a disability with a volunteer,” explained Dungan. “Our volunteers are the life blood
of the program.”
The Dream Program is entirely a
volunteer organization, including the executive director and board
of directors. “We rely upon
the generosity of individuals, businesses and other organizations to sustain the program and continue to provide these
services,” Dungan said. “Our major fundraiser each year is the annual Charity Golf Tournament and silent auction.”
In addition to these programs, Dream hosts social events for its participants, including an annual Christmas dinner and dance, sports banquet, Biloxi Shuckers games and the chance to ride in the Ocean Springs Mardi Gras parade. All of this is provided free of charge to more than 200 athletes from the
age of 10 and up. “While we have a great many younger athletes, we also have a cheerleader who is 67 years old,” Dungan said. “This program is here for everyone, regardless of age.”
CHEERLEADING
BACOT/MCCARTY FOUNDATION
A Portion Of This Sponsorship Goes To Support Our Local Charities Along The Coast
WWW.BACOTMCCARTY.ORG
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
December 2018 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 119
Dream Program
228.471.5054 • www.dreamprogram.net
TENNIS for fun
PUTTING contest charity golf tournament at Gulf Hills
THERAPUETIC horseback riding