By: Alonna Wood, Bulldog Blitz
BIRMINGHAM, AL. — Dream on three and Samford students have partnered up to provide a once-in-a-ifetime opportunity to kids who are living with life-altering conditions. To inspire hope, love, and joy in dreamers, Dream on Three’s programming draws on the unifying values of sports and the strength of collaboration. As an outcome, the communities that we all serve have experienced positive, systemic changes because of these programs that Dream on Three has provided.
Meet Chandler
Here at Samford University students from a variety of different interests and career paths are all working together to create a dream for Chandler. Chandler is a young man with down syndrome who attends Homewood High School. Growing up, Chandler was never invited as much as he wanted to be. His life was made difficult by these interactions.With the help of Samford’s students Chandler is restoring some of his confidence. Chandler has expressed that he now recognizes that he is “different” from others. This young adult has a heart of compassion, Chandler seeks to make a positive difference in the world and prioritizes the needs of others. Along with Chandler’s outlook on life he has been loving the college experience lately. His dream is to meet the football players and to be a huge part of their support on game days.
Working towards Chandler’s dream
However, Chandler’s dream has not been fulfilled quite yet, as the Samford students of the dream on three organization prepare to give him this phenomenal sports dream. The students of the organization are to make sure they provide him with the best football experience possible. The captains of this team are currently Mason McCormack and Brody Westbrooks, who both currently play baseball for the Bulldogs. Mason and Brody both plan to guide the team to making Chandler’s dream come true through lots of fundraising. The team would like Chandler to be able to enjoy nice restaurants in the Birmingham area, stay in a hotel with tons of Samford gear and all his favorite snacks waiting for him and let him enjoy a true “VIP” experience. “Our team has reached out to several shops/restaurants in the Homewood area and posted on our social media outlets to try and raise every dollar we can. Our goal is to make this an unforgettable experience,” said Mason McCormack.
Captains of the team
Mason McCormack
Brody Westbrooks
Chandler is not only secretly about to receive his sports dream, but he is bringing together a community of people, who all want to help love him and support him. “Chandler will impact the Samford community by coming together to make a wish come true for such a loving man,” stated Mason McCormack. Here at Samford University all the students are so excited to see Chandlers sports dream come true. At a university that holds such high value for education and God, there will be only positive change coming and it starts with the beautiful story of Chandler.
Get Involved
College students who make up this team work hard to improve not only themselves but also the neighborhood in which we all live. If you are a Samford student and you are interested in this group, you can join them in their work here at Samford University. Together, we can do amazing things!
Dream on Three has asked for your help and others in raising money to support Dream On 3’s purpose and MAKE A DIFFERENCE in our neighborhood, and they need your help.
If interested, you can donate at the link below:
https://p2p.onecause.com/samford-dream-team-2023
Instagram information:
https://www.instagram.com/samford.dreamteam/
