Signature Theatre invites FYD to see Our Lady of Kibeho

Signature Theatre, on world-famous 42nd street in New York City, invited us to see “Our Lady Of Kibeho” which is a thrilling new play.

OUR-LADY-OF-KIBEHO-PR-PHOTOBased on a true story that the writer Katori Hall heard about on a trip to Rwanda, this play is a conversation starter and quite brilliantly staged and performed.

We had a group from PS 50 come which is connected with Children’s Village.  They were a little late due to a brief snow-slush-mush storm but the amazing staff at the Signature Theatre welcomed them with open arms!

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Sometimes in theatre, once the show starts, the House Managing Staff has to wait until an appropriate time to let people in.

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While we were waiting, Dee the House Manager, took extra time and loving energy to keep our group in-the-know so none of the happenings on stage would be missed!

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We also taught the kids what a House Manager does other than wear a cool headset.

 

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What a comfy and friendly place to see theatre by the way!  There’s even a cafe!

 

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So even with snow and mush outside, the warm and cozy theatre was a haven for thought, fun and learning.  Three of our Dream Kids even decided they might like to become actors!

 

Thank you to all who give to us because sometimes a dream starts with a ticket IN.

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Barrow Theatre hosts FYD to SWAMP JUICE puppet show

SWAMP JUICE…what’s that?

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Our Dream Kids got invited to a very fun and unique puppet show at the Barrow Street Theatre in Greenwich Village, New York! It was silly and funny and colorful and creative and it had an eye-popping 3-D grand finale!

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Using Indonesian shadow puppets made from found objects, Jeff Achtem created a magical journey that inspired our kids to use their imagination and say ‘ooooo’ a lot!

We had some challenges getting the families to the theatre during bad weather and the Thanksgiving Holiday, but the Barrow Theatre staff helped us by being patient and understanding.  Foster Your Dream continues to create opportunities thanks to people like Victoria and Amy who understood that the families who DID show up had the BEST TIME EVER!

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We even had fun BEFORE the show began when two young and excited FYD theatre patrons enthusiastically handed out SWAMP JUICE flyers so everyone would feel as excited and welcome as they did!  Who do you think had more fun?

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The Givers?

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Or the Receivers?

From the reactions of the other patrons, I believe it was “even-steven!”

The pure joy that we had thanks to Barrow Street Theatre’s kind help, is forever.

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This is why we bust our cookies to get theatre experiences for Foster Your Dream.  You can take away everything from a child, but you can not take away FUN MEMORIES.

FYD HOSTS VIP EVENT AT DISNEY ON ICE

Foster Your Dream hosts its second VIP Event at Disney On Ice!  

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Three families spent a fun Friday night all bundled up in a Staples Center VIP suite watching all of our favorite Disney characters spin and swirl and leap as they ice-skated all around at Disney on Ice.  

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While munching on grilled cheese sandwiches, hot dogs and chilli, and goodies galore, we got to see Lilo & Stiitch have a Hawaiian luau, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse go time traveling, Malificent, Cruella DeVille and the other Disney villians celebrate Halloween, and the Disney Princesses have a Valentines Day dance with their princes. 

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An informal poll among the nine kiddos that joined us revealed that the favorites, by far, included Goofy and Princesses Jasmine, Tiana, and Ariel.  Thank you so much to Bingham McCutchen LLP (now Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP) for generously donating the use of the suite!  We all had a blast!

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JAY LENO MAKES A FOSTER YOUR DREAM COME TRUE

Jay Leno met Trevon on our private tour of his Big Dog Garage. The two of them drove off in a cloud of steam in Jay’s antique 1906 Stanley Steamer automobile. When they’d returned from cruising around Burbank together, the two had bonded. Jay’s huge, constantly-giving heart took over and after hearing that Trevon dreamt of becoming a personal chef, made Trevon’s dream come true.  

To have a busy man like Jay Leno take time out of his life and give his energy to Foster Your Dream and to believe in Trevon, is priceless.  THANK YOU JAY!  

Here are a few photos from Trevon’s priceless experience of a Dream Come True!


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JAY LENO HOSTS FOSTER YOUR DREAM at BIG DOG GARAGE

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Jay Leno made a special effort to make us all feel like VIP’s when he hosted Foster Your Dream at his Big Dog Garage in a secret location in the Los Angeles area!

Surrounded by history, craftsmanship and beautiful cars, we were able to get a sneak peek of Jay’s amazing car collection.  Bob Sales told us so many interesting stories and took a real interest in our youth.  Thanks to Gail Stocker and Mavis Leno we had an intro into probably the largest and most important car collection in the world.   Oh and by the way, all the cars can be driven and are treated like royalty themselves.   Thus, no posting on Facebook and no photos published of the collection here!

Our favorite cars? Colin Powell’s Volga.  The super fast McClaren.  The Dusenbergs.  The Model T.  Howard Hughes’ Lamborghini.  All the touring cars.  But the most fun was when we entered the second building and were told to put our camera’s away.  Why?  Because Jay was there working with his guys.  He went over and quietly started up his  1906 Stanley Steamer.  All of a sudden he waved to our Dream Kid to hop on and hang on!  The two of them drove away on a special tour around the neighborhood!  As we FYD folks stood and watched, Jay and our young man took off in a literal cloud of steam.  We were amazed at the generosity of time and spirit that Mr. Leno afforded us.    Thank you so much to Mavis, Gail, Bernard, Jim, Bob and most of all, Jay!

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CIRCUS IS FIRST VIP EVENT FOR FYD

“The Greatest Show On Earth” one awesome little 5 year old guy kept reading to anyone who would listen!  Wherever he saw that sentence, he pointed it out and read it aloud.  With joyous excitement, Foster Your Dream was invited to a VIP box at Staples Center to see the Ringling Brothers Circus.  We were able to take 2 grateful families to enjoy the most generous gift from the law firm Bingham McCutchen.

To be wowed by the glorious spectacle of the Circus and to be treated to a VIP experience with hot dogs, fried chicken, veggies, sugary treats, popcorn and royal service, was a Godsend and a very special bonding session for 2 families.

We have proof of the happiness had by all!  Enjoy our snapshots.

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