Women’s Basketball: Cajuns Host Dreams Come True Christmas Party

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LAFAYETTE, La. – The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns women’s basketball team hosted the Dreams Come True Christmas Party on Sunday at Earl K. Long Gym.
 
Dreams Come True, Inc. was founded in 1982 by seven families in Denham Springs, Louisiana, with a goal of providing dreams to local area children with life-threatening illnesses. To this day, the organization remains dedicated to helping those in the South Louisiana area, while also expanding throughout the entire state. Children from the ages of three through 18 with a life-threatening illness are eligible to receive a dream after the medical review board of Dreams Come True determines their illness qualifies them as a recipient. Dreams granted include pets, furniture, a shopping spree, a trip to Disney World, computers and electronics, etc. Funding is provided from donations from individuals, businesses and fundraising events.
 
"Three years ago when we first got here, we volunteered at a Day of Play in River Ranch with Women’s & Children’s (Hospital) and Dr. (Ammar) Morad," said associate head coach Sallie Guillory. "He’s the only pediatric cancer physician in this region. We went that day and we met Becky Prejean, who is the executive director of Dreams Come True. The following week, she came to our office and explained her vision and what her program does."
 
Since that time, the Cajuns have been involved with patients and the organization as much as they can.
 
"Jasmin Mills and I ended up forming a relationship with one of the cancer kids at the time that was going through chemo," Guillory said. "A few months later, she ended up in remission and it just touched our hearts. Every event that Dreams Come True had, we just started going to it. That first year, they asked us if we wanted to come to their Christmas party. We loved it and our kids did a great job. Last year, they needed a place for the Christmas party, so coach (Garry) Brodhead secured Earl K. Long Gym."

Children and their families were treated to lunch, live music, face painting, a balloon clown, presents, Santa Claus and Elsa. The women’s basketball team and coaches also spent time interacting with the kids and playing basketball.
 
"It’s real special," Guillory said. "It gives our players an opportunity to see how blessed they are and how much of a difference they can make in other people’s lives."
 
"Once you meet these kids, you’re just hooked," Prejean said. "It’s so rewarding when you see their smiles, and you can bring some happiness in their lives."
 
Prejean also expressed the hard work and dedication the Cajuns have put in to help with the event and the organization.
 
"I love them. They were a Godsent," Prejean said. "They help so much. They’ll help deliver a Disney packet and help interview. One of the players came and helped me prepare the presents. I study people and I study their faces when they’re working with me. I can tell their passion. They’re not doing it because they have to, they just love it."