Sometimes, a last memory can be a lasting memory.
And that's what Oneday Dreams aims to achieve for its clients – adults who are nearing the end of their lives and are looking to fulfill that one final, life-long dream.
The idea was hatched in 2017 by Dr. Michael Bennett, who was a social worker at The Hospice of Windsor-Essex County and talent agent Jason Soulliere, who collaborated to help create moments of joy and celebration for adults who, in some cases, are suffering through their most challenging days. After a pilot launch which had great success, Oneday Dreams pushed ahead and got official charity status in 2019 to create more experiences.
The organization grants a whole host of dreams for people who are terminally ill and are looking for an opportunity to check an item off their bucket list or simply spend time with loved ones.
"It might be floating in a hot air balloon, taking in a game played by one's favourite sports team, or enjoying one last celebration with family," said Jason Soulliere, the co-founder of Oneday Dreams. "The dream is as unique as the individual and we never know what we're going to get."
The charity recently got a bit of financial help, thanks to a $5,000 donation from St. Clair College on July 23, 2025.
The funds were raised during the annual Fireworks Night viewing party at the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts during the Ford Fireworks, where 600 guests were treated to not only a spectacular view of the Fireworks show from the second-floor balcony, but also a family-friendly evening with a festival style dinner, cotton candy, snow cones, face painting, a magic show and ballon art in the Skyline Ballroom.
"The St. Clair College Alumni Association is a large supporter of the event, and it showcases the alumni's commitment to supporting our community through these types of initiatives," said Joe D'Angela, Senior Director of the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts, Advancement and Campus Partnerships. "Many of the attendees were past graduates of the College and they wanted to share the experience with their family and friends."
The College has been hosting the event for the past decade to bring people downtown, provide children with a positive activity, aligning with the annual Ford Fireworks on the Detroit River, while benefiting a local charity, which receives the proceeds from the event.
Similar to what the Sunshine Foundation and Make-A-Wish Canada do for children with health challenges, Soulliere says Oneday Dreams is tailored to adults who may lack the funds to accomplish their life-long dreams.
"Adults maybe don't necessarily have the same dreams as a kid, like 'we want to go to Disney World' – but they do have dreams. That's why people work so hard in their life, to do things for their family and to retire and have their dreams come true," said Soulliere. "Unfortunately, that can get cut short. So that's where we come in, trying to make it happen."
Everything Oneday Dreams does is driven entirely by donations. The organization has no paid staff – just volunteers – who hold a variety of fundraisers throughout the year to make dreams a reality.
"It's going to help grant some dreams, but it's going to create lasting memories for the dreamer, their family, other people who are involved in the dream, the hospice workers who've worked on the dream, the doctors who referred them, our committee members, our volunteers," said Soulliere. "When you think about it, you might be touching hundreds of lives with a single donation."
Recent dreams include helping someone go fishing on a chartered boat and helping another dreamer publish a children's book for their grandkids.
"These dreams do cost money, and they vary in cost. We keep things within limits to make it fair for all applicants. Some dreams can cost a couple grand and some cost a couple hundred bucks," Soulliere said. "All of those dreams have all been paid for through generous donations."
Unsurprisingly, the most common wish is spending time with family – who in some cases live in other parts of the country. Oneday Dreams covers travel and lodging costs to bring people together one last time.
"What a wonderful thing to be able to do for folks. It's a powerful thing to be able to create a memory for anyone during those times – sometimes the darkest times for those families and those people. To have something positive, it's going to become a focal point of reflection for them," said Soulliere.
Oneday Dreams – which is a Windsor-based not-for-profit – initially focused on helping people in Windsor-Essex but is expanding to fulfill wishes across Canada.
"We're slowly trying to grow it over time to really be a resource for all Canadians, while also recognizing our roots," Soulliere said.
The charity is now closing in on its 150th dream granted, all thanks to the generosity of the community, making it an easy initiative for the College to support.
"St. Clair College is dedicated to providing the tools needed to achieve professional dreams and create opportunities for self-fulfillment," said St. Clair College President Michael Silvaggi. "That is why we are so proud to partner with Oneday Dreams to help realize the personal wishes of those who find themselves nearing the end of their journeys."
"Together, we celebrate the power of aspirations – both professional and personal – and the impact a supportive community can have in making them come true," President Silvaggi said.
"Folks like your organization at the College and the Alumni Association, they believe in what we're doing, and that is a blessing," said Soulliere. "The College has been a steadfast supporter of what we're doing, and we really appreciate its continued belief in what we're doing for the community."
"It's about those small connections for a bigger picture of doing great things."
