Help young people realize their sports dreams. That is Dream On 3‘s (DO3) calling and with the help of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), they are doing just that. Whether the dream is to throw out the first pitch of a championship game, or sit courtside at the Dean Dome, as ACC rivals UNC and Duke University battle it out, together, DO3 and the ACC turn dreams into reality.
This partnership is focused on enriching the lives of kids and teens, who face limitations through mental, or physical impairment. By creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences for these individuals, the ACC and DO3 uplift their families and empower communities.
To see the beautiful fruits of their partnership, look no further than this month’s dreamers!
Monique's Dream
March 10, 2024 - Basketball
Meet Monique, a high school senior living in Charlotte, NC, who loves all things basketball! Having an intellectual disability has never stopped her from being a core member of her basketball team. Monique’s Atlantic Coast Conference Dream was a whirlwind of activity. For her dream weekend, Monique watched the semi-finals and finals of the ACC Women’s Basketball tournament, hung out with the announcers on set, and ran the lanes at Triad Lanes Bowling Alley!
Ru's Dream
March 16, 2024 - Basketball
Meet Ruth, aka Ru, who is an athletic, talented, and incredibly sweet 13-year-old! Cheered on by her peers as a young celebrity, Ru pulled off from her school in a new Lamborghini. The destination? Washington, D.C. and the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament! Upon arrival, Ru, who navigates life in a wheelchair, traveled her way across the U.S. Capital. After her private tour, it was time to watch the Tar Heels take on The University of Pittsburgh!
Lilly's Dream
March 20, 2024 - Gymnastics
Meet Lilly! This 8-year-old lives with autism and is the sweetest gathering of glitter and glam! The first stop on Lilly’s ACC Gymnastics Championship Dream was, of course, gymnastics practice. Taking the rest of the day to recover from flipping and tumbling, the following morning began with a trip to the North Carolina Zoo. After plenty of hoots and hollers, Lilly arrived at the core experience of her dream weekend, the inaugural 2024 Gymnastics Championship!
Don’t these dreamers make everything a little brighter? These young dreamers will never forget their ACC Dream Weekend memories, full of all the magical experiences they had, and new friends they made. Creating unforgettable memories for these brave and strong kids betters the world as a whole, one life at a time. However, these stories wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support from within their communities.
A hallmark of this partnership is the element of community engagement that goes into fulfilling these dreams. Rallying family, friends, and peers around their dreamers is a big part of what makes these dreams come true! To give people the opportunity to be a part of something bigger, something that is undeniably good, and has a positive impact on everyone involved. And, in doing so, uplifts young people who might not have had the chance otherwise. That is the real dream.
So, Dream On 3 would like to thank the Atlantic Coast Conference. For their help in organizing life-changing dream experiences, for being a model of good works within the community, and for the tireless work their team has done throughout the partnership. DO3 wouldn’t be able to touch the lives of so many people without their help.
