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Day Dreams Foundation: More Than Scholarships

Columbia Business Times Nonprofit Spotlight

By Nina Hebrank 

July 26, 2017

Most of us remember what is was like to play soccer after school with friends or be a part of a team or club after school — it’s routine for some kids, something that comes without a second thought. But often we don’t realize how important extracurricular activities can be for our youth. After-school programs can be a vital help for students on the way to becoming well-rounded adults.

Not everyone can afford the cost of a soccer uniform or activity fees. That’s what the Day Dreams Foundation focuses on — eliminating the financial barriers for students to participate in extracurricular activities. Since its founding in 2014, Day Dreams has helped nearly 150 kids participate in extracurricular activities, providing over $27,830 in activity fees, $3,184 in equipment costs, and $1,500 in college scholarships.

Kids 18 and under who are Columbia or Boone County residents and receive a free or reduced lunch are eligible for these scholarships. Day Dreams Foundation has also extended eligibility to students who are homeschooled if they fit the financial income requirements.

“I think it’s so important for kids growing up to have additional people in their life trying to put them on the right track,” founder and president Joe Bradley says. “Oftentimes, that person is a coach or an instructor in those extracurriculars.”

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VIDEO: Local nonprofit hosts bubble soccer tournament

Day Dreams Foundation raises money to help underprivileged children in Columbia, Missouri participate in extracurricular activities. On March 11, 2017, the organization held a bubble soccer tournament as a fundraiser. Produced by Mengtong Qian for VOX Magazine.

PHOTO GALLERY: Bubble soccer event raises money for Day Dreams Foundation

For the second year, Day Dreams Foundation hosted its bubble soccer tournament Saturday at the Missouri Athletic Center. Teams consisted of three to five players, and the minimum cost to participate was $30. All proceeds from the event go toward the foundation, which offers scholarships to children who face financial barriers and helps them take part in extracurricular activities.

CLICK HERE to view the photo gallery by Claire Rounkles

Bubble soccer benefits children’s activities

By Shanna Grove, KOMU Reporter

COLUMBIA — The Bubble Soccer Tournament Saturday is fundraising to help Columbia’s children participate in extracurricular activities.

“I know how important it is for kids to be able to participate in extracurricular activities, it gives them something to do, something to strive for,” participant Dan Pearce said.

During bubble soccer, players wear a plastic bubble that covers their head to their thighs, leaving most of their legs and feet free to run and kick the ball.

Day Dreams Foundation President Joe Bradley said he wants people to come out and have a good time and learn more about the foundation.

“The thing I’m looking forward to the most is one, raising a lot of money for the foundation, that’s the most important thing,” Bradley said. “But, secondly bubble soccer is just, even if you can’t play, it’s one of the most fun things to watch. As soon as that first game starts and you see them set the ball down in the middle, and three on three people just running full force at each other and go flying, it’s a pretty entertaining time.”

Participant Elise Henn said it is cool that the foundation provides opportunities to so many kids.

She said this is her first time playing bubble soccer.

“I’m most looking forward to watching other people and the knocking into each other and falling down,” Henn said.

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PHOTO GALLERY: Day Dreams Foundation hosts trivia night

The Day Dreams Foundation hosted its second annual trivia night fundraiser Friday at the Riechmann Pavilion in Stephens Lake Park. The foundation, started in 2013 by MU alumnus Joe Bradley, raises money to allow children from low-income backgrounds to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports or theater.

View a photo gallery from Columbia Missourian photographer Michael Cali HERE.

Bubble soccer tourney raises money for Columbia students

COLUMBIA — Three young men slipped into plastic bubbles that covered them from head to thighs and stood on the goal line of an indoor soccer field waiting for the whistle to blow.

At the sound of the whistle, the three men, all of whom played for the team Engineers That Matter, ran toward the center line.

The engineers beat the other team, called Houlihan’s, to the ball, shot at the goal and scored. They bumped into each other to celebrate.

Houlihan’s and Engineers That Matter were two of the 22 teams that participated Sunday morning in the inaugural Bubble Soccer Tournament at the Missouri Athletic Center.

The event, organized by Day Dreams Foundation, raised funds to help Columbia children 15 and younger buy equipment and cover fees for recreational sports.

Each player had a minimum fee of $30 for the tournament, which consisted of 3-on-3 games. Participants, who had to be 18 and older to play, were encouraged to raise more money through donations.

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Bubble soccer tournament to benefit Day Dreams Foundation

An event Sunday at the Missouri Athletic Center, 2900 Forum Blvd., will feature players attempting to play soccer while inside plastic bubbles that surround everything but their legs and feet.

The bubble soccer tournament from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. is a fundraiser for the Day Dreams Foundation. The local not-for-profit organization aims to remove financial barriers for children wanting to participate in extracurricular activities.

Joe Bradley, founder and president, said the bubble soccer idea was pitched at a board meeting and the board was sold on the idea after watching videos of bubble soccer games.

He said there are bubble soccer leagues in Kansas City and St. Louis.

“It’s not something that’s been done in Columbia, yet,” Bradley said.

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Also, check out the Tribune Photo Gallery from the event HERE.

 

Charity aims to help finance costs of extracurricular activities for children

TribuneFrontPageDecember 16, 2014

By Roger McKinney — Columbia Daily Tribune

A new not-for-profit organization in Columbia wants to help young people get involved in extracurricular activities by removing the costs that prevent many of them from doing so.

The Day Dreams Foundation, formed in September, received its designation as a public charity from the IRS on Nov. 20, making donations to the organization tax-deductible.

Bradley said he knew the Voluntary Action Center offered $50 scholarships, but was unaware of any organization that would offer the full $135.

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