Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Deliver the Dream Helps Georgia Families Forget Troubles During Retreat

BUSINESS WIRE --Dreams feel shattered when a family faces a serious illness like multiple sclerosis, but Deliver the Dream offers hundreds of families each year the chance to escape stress and enjoy time together at free four-day retreats.

From August 7-10, 11 families from the Georgia Chapter of the National MS Society will gather at the Dawsonville, Ga. Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge at the 66th Deliver the Dream retreat.

Made possible through financial support from Toyota Mall of Georgia in Buford, the retreat will include activities designed to help families regain strength, mend spirits and just be families and kids again, according to Deliver the Dream Executive Director Paul Withrow.

Support from companies like Toyota Mall is invaluable, said Withrow. They help make these retreats possible for families who deserve a break.

Jennie Williams, the wife of Toyota Malls owner, John Williams, serves on the Deliver the Dream board and has seen firsthand how these retreats brighten the lives of families facing illness.

We are pleased to be able to help make these life-changing experiences possible for so many families, she said. Ive seen what a difference laughter and togetherness makes for both kids and parents.

This is the third retreat for families from the Georgia MS Society, according to Hilary LaMotte, director of clinical and chapter programs.

With each year we see more families benefit from the retreat weekends, she said. We are grateful for Deliver the Dream for allowing our clients to spend time with other families living with MS and just have fun.

Based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Deliver the Dream (www.deliverthedream.org) was founded by former JM Family CEO Pat Moran. Since 2002, the organization has hosted more than 3,500 family members on retreats. At the cost of more than $60,000 each, 12 retreats are held annually throughout Florida, North Carolina and Georgia. Retreat participants are referred to Deliver the Dream by a network of not-for-profit healthcare organizations.

Chartered in 1953, the Georgia Chapter of the National MS Society (www.nationalMSsociety.org) is one of 54 chapters in the U.S. It provides educational programs and direct services to more than 8,500 individuals in 159 counties.


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