Lorette girl’s birthday wish is to help other children’s dreams come true

Charlotte Adams already knows how she wants to celebrate turning 10.

The Lorette girl is a huge Winnipeg Blue Bombers fan, so having her birthday fall on the Banjo Bowl (Sept. 12), is pretty special. She plans to mark the occasion with a fundraiser for The Dream Factory.

“I just like supporting other people and helping with their dreams,” Charlotte said.

From 9 a.m. to noon, Charlotte and her family will set up at the southwest corner of Chancellor Matheson Road and RH Way, beside the accessible parking lot.

Charlotte’s favourite breakfast, homemade crepes (which the birthday girl likes with lemon and sugar), will be available by donation or in exchange for a new, tagged stuffie. The stuffed animals will go to The Dream Factory’s claw machine, where children can choose a prize before or after receiving their dream.

She is also selling $2 “Goodie Bags for Dreams,” each containing three to five items. Some are made for toddlers, while others are designed for older boys or girls. Charlotte has already made about 50 bags and continues to make more as orders come in.

The family expects to make between 300 and 400 crepes, while $1 from every bag sold will go to The Dream Factory.

“Double digits is a big deal, so we wanted to make it huge,” Charolotte’s mother Andrea said.

The charity became meaningful to Charlotte through a friendship that started with a letter.

A few years ago, she met Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo at a fan event. After learning that his young niece, Sophia, was battling cancer in Texas, Charlotte wrote her a letter.

Sophia wrote back. The girls have been pen pals ever since, even though they have never met in person.

“When I found out she had cancer, I was pretty sad,” Charlotte said.

Sophia is now in remission, but the friendship showed Charlotte what children and families can face when cancer becomes part of their lives.

The Adams family learned more about The Dream Factory when someone in Lorette was collecting stuffed animals for the charity.

“We showed her what they do and how it connected with Sophia,” Andrea said. “She was hooked.”

Charlotte hopes the money she raises will help another child experience a dream they’ll remember for the rest of their life.

She has her own dream, too. One day, she’d like to travel to England to meet her favourite Arsenal soccer player, Bukayo Saka.

For now, she’s putting that same enthusiasm into helping other kids pursue their dreams. Charlotte has been finding creative ways to raise money for good causes for years.

She has sold handmade loom bracelets, organized community collections and now spends her free time assembling surprise bags filled with carefully chosen treasures.

Many of the bags include gently used toys and fidgets Charlotte finds at local thrift stores, giving those items a chance to bring joy to another child.

“She curates them so beautifully,” Andrea said. “She puts her whole heart into it.”

For Andrea, the bags also offer a lesson about giving things a second life.

“I think we live in a time where everything has to be new. All the fidgets have to be new; everything has to be new. But someone else’s treasure can become somebody else’s treasure.”

Charlotte’s generosity has earned recognition over the years.

In Grade 1, Charlotte received the Seine River School Division Citizenship Award after writing a thank-you note to her local fire department. The award included money to donate to a cause of her choice.

She gave part of it back to the fire department and directed the rest toward a new playground structure at her school.

Last year, she received the Samantha Mason Award through the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, recognizing young people who demonstrate exceptional kindness and community spirit.

Matt Bruneau, community relations manager for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, said Charlotte’s fundraiser reflects that spirit.

“Seeing a young fan like Charlotte turn her passion for the Blue Bombers into an opportunity to give back is incredibly inspiring. The Blue Bombers have always been about more than football. Charlotte’s decision to celebrate her birthday by supporting The Dream Factory and welcoming fellow fans to her tailgate is a wonderful example of the community spirit that makes Bomber fans so special,” Bruneau said.

Andrea said Charlotte has always been generous.

“She’s the kid we have to rein in a bit,” she said with a laugh. “She wants to give everything away. We have to remind her that she has dreams, too.”

Charlotte’s efforts have also been met with plenty of support from the Lorette community.

Local businesses have provided space for past fundraisers, neighbours have donated supplies and friends continue to rally behind each new idea.

When Charlotte was selling her loom bracelets, she was able to set up at local businesses, including Dawson Trail Motor Inn and the pharmacy.

“We have a good community behind us,” Andrea said. “That really helps.”

This year’s fundraiser is Charlotte’s biggest project yet, but Andrea doubts it will be her last.

For Charlotte, the best birthday gift will be knowing she helped another child experience a dream of their own.

And for kids wondering whether they can make a difference, she has simple advice.

“Just do it.”