Joey’s Happy Dream Come True

Joey, who has Down syndrome and low-functioning autism, had so much on his Dream Trip to the Orlando Theme Parks and the Dream Village that at the end of the day he said, “Yes, I’m Happy!”. For a child that is mostly nonverbal, this is huge.

Melanie Steen, a 10-year-old fifth grader at Hatfield Elementary School wanted to help a child on Sunshine Foundation’s waiting list have their lifelong dream answered. She knew about these children from her grandmother, Dianne Mazzeo, who has worked for the Sunshine Foundation since Melanie was an infant. Melanie’s tenacity paid off as Hatfield Elementary School hosted a canister campaign at the school raising over $800! Melanie along with her Principal D’Ana Waters and Melanie’s brother, parents and grandmother, delivered Sunshine’s Disney Vacation to 7 year old Joey.