Priscilla Presley is best known as the former wife of Elvis Presley but the actress is also a dedicated philanthropist. Presley has been an ambassador of the Dream Foundation for the past 11 years, according to her website. 

Presley says she became involved with the foundation after helping grant a dreamer’s wish to visit Graceland, her late father’s home which was converted to a museum. 

The Dream Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Santa Barbara, California. It is the first and largest wish-granting organization for adults with terminal illnesses. 

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The foundation qualifies eligible recipients as having a life expectancy of one year or less and “lacking resources to achieve their dreams on their own.” The foundation has granted over 20,000 dreams, so far. 

Former president of the Dream Foundation Thomas W. Rollerson founded the organization in 1994 to honor the life of his partner Timothy Scott Palmer. 

According to Charity Navigator, 83.8% of the organizations expenses are spent on the programs and services it delivers. Rollerson received a salary of only $107,408 in 2012. 

The Foundation has four programs: Dream Granting, Dreams for Veterans, Flower Empower, and Toy Program. 

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The foundation describes Dream Granting as “the heart and soul of Dream Foundation. They describe their actions as improving the quality of lives of terminally ill adults in a  way medicine can not. Past dreams have ranged from family reunions to final vacations with loved ones. 

Dreams for Veterans is a program which works much like Dream Granting. Dream Foundation partners with hospices and veterans organizations in all 50 states to serve terminally ill veterans.  On March 29, Joseph Hooker, a Vietnam War veteran, realized his dream to visit Pearl Harbor. 

Flower Empower is a program unique to Santa Barbara, California.The foundation says the goal of Flower Empower is to remind recipients that they are not alone.

Volunteers for this program prepare bouquets at farmers markets which are delivered to locations like  hospitals, hospices and cancer centers. In addition, recipients often receive chocolates or cookies and handmade cards from local school children.

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Toy Program provides toys to terminally ill recipients to give to their children. The toys are intended to give the children joy while they struggle with losing a parent. Toys are donated by several companies including Hasbro’s Children Fun, and Ty. Inc.

To learn more about the foundation and how you can get involved visit www.dreamfoundation.org.

Reach Staff Reporter Brooke Gignac here.