The "Small Towns, Big Dreams" Tour, led by Charlie Rocket and Kasasa CEO Gabe Krajicek, has started! The tour began in Orlando, Florida, with a charity conference and several celebrity speakers.
Kasasa issued a press release that has been picked up by 403 media outlets announcing the partnership and mission of the tour, reaching a total of 238.1M impressions.
"This tour will make a profound impact on the lives we touch and create a far-reaching ripple effect," said Krajicek, CEO of Kasasa. "It is a metaphor for what community financial institutions do every day. They are the real dream makers — helping people buy reliable transportation, a first home, or finally starting that new business — community financial institutions have always backed the dreamer. We are proud to shine a light on the impact they make through this tour."
See the full press release here.
Gabe, Charlie, and the Dream Machine Foundation lost no time finding dreamers to support. Over the weekend, they started working toward delivering the following five dreams:
Stay tuned to hear more on the happy outcome of these dreams!
In Orlando, the Small Towns Big Dreams initiative encountered Miss Jennifer, a dedicated schoolteacher in Florida who has endured the heartbreaking loss of two of her children to suicide. Her unwavering determination centers around providing stability for her youngest child, ensuring his successful graduation from his current school. Tragically, upon returning home, Miss Jennifer was confronted with eviction notices, as the cost of housing in her hometown of Okeechobee, FL, was beyond her means.
Responding to this urgent situation, Kasasa, Charlie, and the Dream Machine Foundation sprang into action, setting a formidable goal of raising $15,000 and connecting Miss Jennifer with a bank within the Kasasa network to secure pre-approval for a new home. We are thrilled to share that, within just 24 hours, an astonishing $13,000 was raised. Within a mere 36 hours, not only had the initial goal been met, but an incredible total of $22,665 was collected — far surpassing expectations!
This remarkable outpouring of support exemplifies the power of communities coming together to positively impact the lives of those in need.
Interested in joining this meaningful mission and lending a hand to Miss Jennifer? Explore the links below to donate to the cause or support her by fulfilling items from her Amazon classroom wish list!
During their journey through Florida, Gabe, Charlie, and the Dream Machine Foundation came across a touching story about a young girl named Olivia from Palm Bay, Florida. Olivia was battling a rare form of brain cancer, and her one cherished dream was to experience a stay at the Lake Nona Wave Hotel. The story deeply moved them. Olivia always looked at this hotel from her hospital room window and expressed that it was her dream to one day stay there, loving how it lit up at night. Unfortunately, Olivia's battle with brain cancer, known as DIPG, had reached a point where doctors had little more they could do for her.
Upon learning of Olivia's heartfelt wish, the team acted with an unwavering determination to transform her dream into reality. Demonstrating remarkable dedication, Gabe reached out to the hotel manager, and thanks to their collaborative efforts, they succeeded in making Olivia's dream come true by booking a stay for her and her family at the Wave Hotel. The team at the hotel, upon hearing of Olivia's story, generously gifted her and her family a weekend stay in the hotel's finest room, complete with complimentary breakfast and dinner. Olivia's mother expressed that this was the biggest smile she had seen on her daughter's face in a long time. The hotel's act of kindness truly made Olivia's dream come true, allowing her to stay in their amazing hotel.
See Olivia's inspiring story on Instagram now.
In a heartwarming encounter in Savannah, GA, Kasasa, Charlie, and the Dream Machine Foundation crossed paths with an elderly street vendor named Oji, whose exceptional craft was basket weaving. During their conversation, they learned that it was Oji's birthday, and he faced the daunting challenge of needing eye surgery without the financial means to cover the costs.
Swiftly responding to Oji's plight, Charlie's team invoked the power of love and rallied his social media community to come together on this special day. The ambitious objective was to raise $5,000 in three hours to make a transformative difference in Oji's life by providing him with the necessary funds for his much-needed eye surgery.
Once again, the army of love rose to the occasion! Oji's fundraiser for his eye surgery has now surpassed the initial goal, amassing over $7,887 in contributions. For Oji, this birthday will forever be etched in his heart as the most memorable one, not merely due to the financial support received but because of the abundant love and time shared by the caring community surrounding him.
In Valley, AL, a remarkable story unfolded when Kasasa, Charlie, and the Dream Machine Foundation encountered an 80-year-old resident named Miss Martha. She had faced the threat of arrest over an unpaid $75 trash pick-up bill (with shocking body cam footage in the comments).
Upon learning of Martha's situation, Charlie reached out to discover her dreams and aspirations. Martha expressed her heartfelt desire for air conditioning and heating for her home, particularly with the cold winter months approaching.
Driven by unwavering dedication, the team embarked on active fundraising efforts to transform Miss Martha's dream into a heartwarming reality, ensuring she would experience warmth and comfort during the upcoming winter season.
Kasasa and Charlie turned to the First Bank of Alabama for assistance. The bank connected them with a trusted local HVAC contractor in a show of community spirit. A compassionate trio from First Bank of Alabama, consisting of Brandon Freeman, Rebekah Singleton, and Sherri Clark, arrived with a generous contribution of $2,500.
Martha was deeply appreciative of their support. While the air conditioning and financial aid were substantial, the true magic resided in the human connection. Martha was profoundly moved by the collective efforts of the team and their powerful message: "We see you, and you matter."
Update: BIG NEWS! Miss Martha is getting heating and air installed! Together as a community, we have raised $46,000 for Miss Martha!
You can read more about Martha's dream coming true here.
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In Birmingham, Alabama, the Dream Machine stumbled upon a heartwarming tale about a dog shelter teetering on the brink of closure. Without hesitation, our team sprang into action, initiating a social media campaign to rally our supporters to rescue the Dixie Girl Dog Shelter. Our initial target was to raise $50,000, but our dedicated fans exceeded all expectations, coming together to contribute a remarkable $65,000. Thanks to this incredible outpouring of generosity, we were also able to connect numerous deserving dogs with their forever homes, making this endeavor even more rewarding.
Interested in making a difference for this wonderful cause? Please visit the fundraiser page to make a donation.
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While passing through Tennessee, our team came across a truly heartwarming story about a resilient 12-year-old girl named Brielle, who is bravely battling stage 4 cancer. This remarkable young entrepreneur creates adorable custom bracelets and diligently saves her earnings with a dream of visiting Hawaii. Our initial goal was to sell over 50 bracelets to raise $20,000 to support Brielle's dream. We're thrilled to announce that her website experienced an overwhelming surge in purchases, causing it to crash. Not only did we reach our fundraising target, but we also surpassed it, raising over $20,000!
Charlie Rocket's Dream Machine, powered by Kasasa, arrived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with a mission to turn Ida Jean Jones' dream into a reality.
Ida Jean Jones, a resilient 62-year-old, has been shouldering the responsibility of caring for her three grandchildren ever since her daughter's tragic passing. With her car out of commission, she has relied on public transportation for all her needs, from taking the kids to school to running errands and attending medical appointments. Since 2020, Ida has been diligently working with Pelican State Credit Union, aiming to boost her credit score and save for a new car that would provide her with the ability to have a reliable and consistent way to get her family around.
In a heartwarming collaboration with Pelican State Credit Union, the team orchestrated an incredible surprise for Ida – an $8,000 financial gift, a brand-new car, and one year of insurance coverage! The surprise kicked off with a full-fledged parade held in her honor, filling the town with the joyful sounds of a marching band and the excited voices of the community, including Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome. They all gathered to celebrate Ida's remarkable journey and her newfound mobility.
You can witness the heartwarming story and the unforgettable surprise unfold in this touching news coverage: Watch the inspiring moment here.