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George Lee with Arnold Palmer at the TPC Pro-Am

In 1984, the late Thomas R. McGehee, Chairman of Mac Papers, and his wife, Delia, met a 17-year-old boy who had cystic fibrosis. This young man, George Lee, loved golf. When McGehee learned this, he arranged for George to be paired with Fred Couples and play in the Pro-Am of the TPC. Following an exciting round of play, Couples gave the young man his driver. A year later, George lost his battle with cystic fibrosis. His prized club was buried at his side. 

That was the beginning of Dreams Come True. McGehee partnered with business leaders Hugh Jones, Chairman of then-Barnett Bank: Jay Stein and Jack Williams of Stein Mart; and the late Roy Baker, M.D., Chairman of the Board of Directors of University Medical Center. These gentlemen, with the help of McGehee's godson, Dr. Paul Wharton, put their heads together to develop Dreams Come True, a very unique non-profit organization dedicated to granting the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses. Dreams Come True applies all contributions, unless otherwise designated, directly to the dreams of children. This is made possible by the support of Program Sponsors, Program Contributors and donors who make unrestricted donations. Unrestricted donations are used for administrative costs or dream expenses, as deemed necessary.

In over 24 years, Dreams Come True has made the special desires of 2,300 children come true. Dreams provide these wonderful children and their families with a momentary reprieve from the rigors of medical treatment often associated with life-threatening illnesses. A dream temporarily removes the child from doctor visits, hospital stays, tests and needles and brings laughter, joy and childhood to the forefront. Dreams give the children and their families memories to carry them through the rough times and smiles to last a lifetime. Dreams bring hope and the promise of tomorrow.

Through your generosity, Dreams Come True is able to fulfill dreams without any subsidies from state or federal agencies.  Dreams Come True does not solicit contributions by telephone and it is against our policy to telemarket.  

Guidelines for Dreamers
All children between the ages of two and a half and eighteen who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and either live or are treated in Northeast Florida or Southeast Georgia are eligible for a dreams. Children must be referred by their physician and have all activities approved.

Guidelines for Donor Privacy
The nature of Dreams Come True requires a statement on confidentiality and privacy. Employees, volunteers and members of the Board of Directors are expected to maintain confidentiality pertaining to all programs, participants and donors involved with Dreams Come True of Jacksonville, Inc. and must sign a binding confidentiality agreement to that effect. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to, identities of prospective dream participants, their illnesses and other background information, as well as the identities of dream sponsors, any and all donors to Dreams Come True of Jacksonville, Inc. Medical information is expressly protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Dreams Come True staff attended and participated in a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in-service meeting to ensure awareness and compliance of HIPAA laws.

Additionally, Dreams Come True of Jacksonville, Inc. does not solicit contributions by telephone. It is against the policy of Dreams Come True to telemarket. Telemarketing is expressly forbidden by the Association of Wish Granting Organizations, of which Dreams Come True is a charter member. Dreams Come True of Jacksonville, Inc. will never sell or share information regarding donors and sponsors. This information is protected and used singularly by Dreams Come True to contact donors and sponsors.