For over 20 years, Orange County Sheriffs in Orange County, California have been an integral community partner with Shine DreamLifts from the BC Interior. The Sheriffs volunteer their time to be buddies, ensuring Shine participants have a day of adventure and fun at Disneyland. The announcement of the Shine Foundation's new partnership with Papa John’s Pizza activated the decades old connection between Orange County and the Okanagan as the 60th Shine DreamLift took flight in December 2015.
“We’re thrilled Papa John’s Pizza jumped on board to support the community in this special way,” said Marilyn MacDougall, Sheriff's Advisory Council Executive Administrator with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. “It speaks so much of the Okanagan community and who they are. We are so excited, because it means a lot to the people down here. The relationship doesn’t end with the DreamLift day for most of these kids. I have people who have been communicating for 15 years with Shine participants they came to know on a DreamLift. That’s impact.”
“The Orange County Sheriffs have been an important part of the Shine DreamLift for over 20 years,” said Geoff Linquist, President of Papa John’s Pizza BC and owner of the Kelowna and West Kelowna Papa John’s locations. “We are looking forward to building on the friendship between the Sheriffs and the Okanagan community. I have seen firsthand, how important the Sheriffs are to the parents and kids in our community and I want to make sure that relationship continues.”
“The Orange County Sheriff’s support for Shine is priceless,” said Nancy Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer of the Shine Foundation. “The moment we land in Orange County, they are waiting for us, meeting any need Shine participants have. Beginning a year in advance, they work with us to ensure that the day is seamless for the youth, and on DreamLift Day, they generously donate their time to make sure that every single child has the best day of their lives.”
Papa John’s Pizza kicked off the new partnership with Shine on February 10, 2015, with sales of the DreamCookie at five participating locations in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Kamloops, and Prince George. One dollar from the sale of each DreamCookie went towards Shine Experiences. On April 29, 2015 for Papa John’s Pizza Dreams for Kids Day, the five locations donated 100 per cent of the proceeds and staff wages to Shine Experiences and Shine DreamLift programs.
