Dreams Come True: A Story of Giving

By Paul Lambert

    In 1982 a group of Baton Rouge concerned citizens, led by Mr. J. L. Nesmith, met with a goal of forming an organization that would provide dreams for terminal ill children. There were 13 people in this group and only one child received his dream that year. The dream for this young man was a ride in a Police Unit, there was little money for anything else. Mr. Nesmith contacted the Baton Rouge City Police Department concerning this child’s dream and the new organization was formed. Baton Rouge Lodge 1, Fraternal Order of Police became involved in 1984 and has been a proud co-sponsor since that year.

    John Cupit, retired Deputy Chief with BRPD, his wife Genie , their Son-in Law Jim Burnett and daughter Mary Ann Burnett have always taken control and set up a celebration that has grown from its modest beginning. The FOP has provided their lodge home at 10770 Greenwell Springs Road free of charge, the food is likewise provided by the lodge. Dreams come true furnishes gifts for the children.

    This year Baton Rouge Lodge 1, Fraternal Order of Police, presented the Dreams Come True foundation a check for $5,000. Three hundred invitations were sent this year, and a majority of the invitees attended this annual social event. The lodge is committed to this partnership and will, always reserve a day for this Christmas event.

    The annual Dreams Come True celebration has grown each year. There was a face painting booth, balloons, and a Police K-9 demonstration.  Corporals Tom Sibley and Jesse Barcelona did a very good K-9 demonstration.  Baton Rouge Firefighter John Sevier has been involved the with program.  The Fire Department provided a Robotic Fire Engine to entertain and educate the children. The engine plays music from various music genres; the wording has been re-written to inform the children of potentially dangerous events and situation.

    As expected Santa arrived at 2:45 P. M. by motorcycle.  The motorcycle was operated by Corporal Don Guriynski .   Santa this year was Mr. John Good .  Ms Kayla Burnett provided dessert and Santa closed out the celebration by distributing gifts to each child.

    The Fraternal Order of Police is proud of its long standing association with this program. The happy faces of these children are heartwarming, as we celebrate the birth of the Christmas Child.

    The FOP would like to thank the Cupit family and the Burnett family, for their untiring efforts to make this event the success story it has become.