New Stanton charity event will benefit Jamie's Dream Team wish program

When Jamie Ward was in the hospital as a child, she made a point to give gifts brought by family and friends to other patients. Today, she continues this practice through a nonprofit called Jamie’s Dream Team.

Ward, 34, of Trafford, was diagnosed with a rare condition called VATER syndrome at birth. It causes abnormalities in the vertebrae, lower intestine, trachea, esophagus and kidneys. She has undergone more than 45 surgeries as a result.

Hoping to continue giving to others as she did in her childhood hospital days, Ward founded Jamie’s Dream Team in 2005. The nonprofit grants “dreams” to children and adults with serious illnesses, injuries, disabilities or trauma.

Now, a home health care business called Community Care wants to assist by hosting a charity event to benefit Jamie’s Dream Team.

Jennifer Provance — a marketing employee at Community Care — said Jamie’s Dream Team offers a uniquely individualized experience because of its local focus and proximity.

“It’s a little more on a personal level (than Make-A-Wish) because you can meet Jamie, you can talk to Jamie. It’s not like you can’t get in touch with the founder of the company,” said Provance, of Mt. Pleasant.

According to Community Care scheduling coordinator Taylor Butler, the charity event will feature 30 vendors, food trucks, a Chinese auction, a bake sale, raffle baskets, a DJ and children’s games. Butler, of Irwin, said the games are designed to include children of all abilities.

The event will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 11 at the New Stanton Volunteer Fire Department. Vendors can choose to keep their profits from the day, but they will pay a fee that will be donated to Jamie’s Dream Team. All other proceeds from the event will benefit the nonprofit.

Provance said she hopes the event will raise more than $1,000 for Jamie’s Dream Team.

“It would really help out the pediatrics in the community that have these diagnoses that make living and having to travel extremely hard,” Provance said. “It’s really going to benefit them.”

Ward said she hopes to see the community come out to support Jamie’s Dream Team, but also to show appreciation for Community Care’s efforts.

This is the nonprofit’s first major fundraiser since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, and Ward estimated she is receiving at least 175 calls per week requesting “dreams.” She said donations from the charity event will help Jamie’s Dream Team “tremendously.”

“We are so grateful for (Community Care) and their kindness. They’re not only helping families every day who have children with illness because that’s their job. They’re so kind-hearted that they go out into the community and continue to help,” Ward said. “They don’t have to do that. They could go do their jobs and go home, but they want to give back to the community and help.”

Jamie’s Dream Team will host a Royal Ballroom Brunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 5 at the Pittsburgh Marriott North; a First Responders Day event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 25 at the Ross Park Mall parking lot; and a softball tournament from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 16 at the Penn Hills Community Softball Fields. Additional details are on the nonprofit’s website.