Online voters may make $25k donation a reality for imPossible Dream

Tim Forsberg
Posted 10/21/14

Warwick’s imPossible Dream has been making the dreams of chronically ill children come true since it was founded in 1982. Thanks to an initiative from the jeweler Pandora called “Hearts of …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Online voters may make $25k donation a reality for imPossible Dream

Posted

Warwick’s imPossible Dream has been making the dreams of chronically ill children come true since it was founded in 1982. Thanks to an initiative from the jeweler Pandora called “Hearts of Today,” which celebrates work women do within communities to better the lives of women and children, the organization’s executive director is a contest semi-finalist and could receive a $25,000 donation to expand goals. 

“This was really a shock,” said Diane Penza, the program’s executive director and nominee in Pandora’s Community Development category, about her selection to Hearts of Today.  “It’s such a compliment for Rhode Island, the imPossible Dream and our mission.”

The imPossible Dream’s “special playground,” located on Centerville Road and open to all children, provides a safe and accessible experience for kids regardless of ability. The playground is filled with attractions, such as sandboxes, seesaws, slides, swings, playhouses, miniature golf and more. The non-profit has also helped more than 1,000 ill children turn their dreams into reality.

Penza was nominated to Hearts of Today by Kevin Audette, a member of the organization’s board of directors, for her commitment to children and the organization. Thousands of nominees across the country were entered, and the field was narrowed down to 20 by a panel of five inspirational women, including human rights advocate Penny Abeywardena, author Dr. Pepper Schwartz and Emmy Award-winning journalist Shaun Robinson.

“Children always revitalize you,” said Penza. “You sometimes wonder if anyone realizes what we do, and every time you see a smile from a child, or children playing in the playground, in invigorates me to do another Dream. When something like this happens, it just validates everything.”

Eight finalists will now be selected by the public through online voting and be recognized in November. Finalists will receive $25,000 to be used by their organization.

Since being nominated, Penza, her friends and donors are getting the word out about the selection through the organization’s Facebook page, website, their personal accounts and even with fliers handed out at the playground. They’re appealing for online votes.

“These funds would mean we could open in the spring and we wouldn’t have to worry about how much money we are spending on the playground,” explained Penza. “We can fix it up and add new items. We would also take half and spend it on Dreams, which will make a lot of children very happy.”

 While optimistic about her chances of being a winner, Penza is even more excited about the attention the nomination has brought to the imPossible Dream.

“We service all of Rhode Island; our playground is available for all children,” said Penza. “There aren’t many times where there’s something we can really pump our fists about, especially with a small charity like ours. This makes us really proud.”

To vote for the imPossible Dream, visit Pandora’s website at www.pandora.net/en-us/explore/campaigns/heartsoftoday. For more information on the imPossible Dream’s mission, visit http://impossibledreamplayground.org.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here