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24 hours of fun: Ty Hildebrand joins Dreams Take Flight to give kids hope through Disneyland
Ty Hildebrand says that the day not only changed the lives of the kids, but it also changed his life. A group of Manitoba children had their dreams come true on Thursday, October 9, thanks to a national charity and a group of dedicated volunteers with Dreams Take Flight. Ty Hildebrand, morning show host on Country 88, joined over 250 children and volunteers for a whirlwind 24-hour trip to Disneyland in Anaheim, California, with the organization. “I can’t believe it,” Hildebrand said in an emotional interview. “What a wild experience.” A plane full of possibility The group flew out of Winnipeg early Thursday morning on a fully chartered Air Canada Airbus. “We filled an entire Airbus. I think it was a 350-seat plane,” Hildebrand said. Dreams Take Flight organizes the trip annually, offering underprivileged children from Manitoba the chance to experience the magic of Disney. The children are selected based on criteria such as not having a passport and coming from disadvantaged or challenging home environments. Related stories: United Way Pembina Valley launches Koats for Kids 2025 What are you thankful for? Pembina Valley shares gratitude this Thanksgiving weekend For nearly all of the children, it was their first time on an airplane. “None of these kids had passports. They used their birth certificates to cross the border,” he explained. “That’s one of the requirements; it had to be a kid that couldn’t make this trip otherwise.” Guided by volunteers The children were divided into small groups of five, each accompanied by adult volunteers. Hildebrand served as a group assistant alongside Tyler Carr, a Winnipeg radio host and seasoned Dreams Take Flight participant. “All day long, we just counted to five. No joke,” Hildebrand said. “You don’t want to lose one!” Each child received spending money and was given complete freedom to experience the park; from treats and toys to awe-inspiring rides. “You could hear it in their voices,” he said. “Wow… how does that work? Their eyes were just huge all day.” More than magic, a glimpse of a different future While the rides and characters brought joy, Hildebrand said what struck him most was how quickly the children came out of their shells. “At first, you could tell some had been through a lot. One had ADHD, and one really struggled with emotional regulation. But once we got there, they were just kids again.” One child said he wanted to be an actor, YouTuber, and a radio host like Hildebrand. Others were inspired by the performers they saw in the park, like singers, dancers, and Disney cast members and began dreaming big. “There was a girl on the plane, and the flight attendant told her, ‘You’ll work at Disney one day.’ And she said, ‘Yes, I will,’” Hildebrand recalled. “They just saw what was possible.” Hope that lasts Hildebrand said the experience will stay with him, and he hopes it will stay with the children, too. “No matter where you come from, no matter how hard life has been, there is joy and there is hope and there is happiness,” he said. Dreams Take Flight operates in eight Canadian cities and is run entirely by volunteers. Air Canada donates the aircraft each year, and private sponsors help cover the costs. There is one unique rule: volunteers are not allowed to maintain contact with the children afterward. “It’s strange, but also kind of beautiful,” Hildebrand said. “We’ll never speak again, but we shared this experience, and they’ll remember us. And I’ll remember them.” The trip may have only lasted a day, but for many, its impact could last a lifetime. To learn more about the organization or how to support its work, visit the Dreams Take Flight website.