Special visit

Published 11:30 am Thursday, May 24, 2018

The DreamShip – a fully operational hot air balloon, designed by the children of America’s military heroes – landed at the Meridian Valley Country Club last Friday for the Muckleshoot Casino Washington Pro-Am, a three-day golf tournament to raise funds for Folds of Honor.

Since its inaugural flight in 2016, the DreamShip has been traveling the country to raise awareness and support for Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational scholarships to children of fallen or disabled service members.

With a design as unique as its mission, the DreamShip showcases artwork created by Folds of Honor Scholarship recipients symbolizing their hopes and dreams for the future.

The balloon stands more than eight stories high and features 130 unique drawings of dreams. Artwork includes a cupcake shop owner, sports stars, veterinarians, doctors, pilots, weapons specialists and even a pharmacist.

Since 2015, Folds of Honor and The Rite Aid Foundation’s KidCents program have awarded more than $5 million to fund more than 1,100 scholarships for the children of fallen or disabled military veterans.