When Caroline Budden of Whitbourne, NL came up to 13-year-old Dakota Clarke, also from Whitbourne, asking him if he could take her to Disney World, it went straight to Dakota's heart. Last year while in Disney, Dakota brought Caroline back a gift from his trip because he knew how much she loved Disney. Caroline was born with Down syndrome and has wanted to go to Disney for over 20 years. Its always been her dream. So when Dakota came home one day after Caroline had asked him again to take her to Disney, he asked why doesn't she just get to go? I explained that not everyone can go to Disney, it's very expensive, and he answered me with "Why can't we do something to help get her there?" I told him it's a very expensive trip, it's not that simple. And he said, "What if she gets sick and never gets to go to meet the princesses and see the castle?" Looking into my son's eyes, I knew what we had to do - get Caroline to Disney World and make her dream come true. Dakota has already planned a walk-a-thon for Halloween day, which also happens to be Caroline's birthday. So far he and his supporters have over $1,000 collected from friends and family. He is planning another couple of fundraisers to cover the trip. Everything from passports and meals to flights and the hotel has to be raised by funds of good-hearted people of Newfoundland for Caroline and her mother, who has to accompany her. Home and away donations have come. Dakota, who is also a member of the Cresent Collegiate Allied Youth group, says that at A.Y. has taught him to accept all people and to be kind to everyone and to support your community. I guess he has learned a lot from A.Y.

Caroline is very excited. Dakota is hoping to have the funds raised by August 2012. He has a lot of work yet to do. Any donations can be sent to Aurora Word Spas, P.O. Box 288, Whitbourne, NL A0B 3K0. Cheques can be made out to Caroline Budden.

Sincerely,
Georgina Clark
(Dakota's proud mum)

A picture of Dakota and Caroline is attached.   Submitted By: Georgina Clarke