Paying it forward: Concert to raise funds for terminally ill Northwoods residents

One of Jesse Robinson’s most treasured possessions is sand his mom collected from Santa Monica Beach in the summer of 2008. The Rhinelander native has held on to this unique keepsake for nearly two decades because it represents the brief but priceless respite his family enjoyed in southern California before his mother, Laura, succumbed to colon cancer.

The trip was made possible by an organization called Dream Foundation, a Santa Barbara-based nonprofit and the only national organization that grants final dreams to terminally ill adults.

Laura Robinson had briefly lived in Los Angeles after graduating from Rhinelander High School in 1973, and always dreamed of returning with her children to show them her favorite places — a trip she believed would, in her words, “make them smile for a lifetime.” She didn’t have the means to make it happen, but her favorite oncology nurse helped her apply to the foundation. The organization arranged flights and accommodations for Laura, her three children including the then 17-year-old Jesse, and Laura’s sister, who came along as her caretaker. It also secured tickets to Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, and a Los Angeles Dodgers-Milwaukee Brewers game — the Brewers connection a deliberate touch, with Laura timing the trip specifically around when Milwaukee would be in town.

In a recent interview with the Star Journal, Jesse said the memories from that long ago trip are still the first that come to mind when he thinks of his mother.
“I had never seen nor would ever see my mom happier than she was on that trip,” he said.

After his mother’s passing, Robinson left Oneida County for 13 years to serve in the Navy. He moved back three years ago and is ready to honor his mother and fulfill another dream, to give back to the organization that made his family’s California trip possible and to pay it forward for other Northwoods families facing similar circumstances.

Robinson is the organizer behind An Evening of Dreams, a benefit concert scheduled for July 25 at the Hodag Park amphitheater. The seven-hour event, beginning at 2 p.m., will feature multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated country artists Thompson Square (“Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not”) and David Nail, along with Rachel Neal and The Brady Luke Band, and will raise funds for three organizations: Dream Foundation, the Aspirus Cancer Care James Beck Cancer Center in Rhinelander, and Aspirus Seasons of Life Hospice House in Woodruff.

A little-known resource

Despite Dream Foundation’s 30-plus-year history and more than 35,000 dreams granted nationwide, the organization has a surprisingly thin footprint in Wisconsin — fewer than 450 recipients total, and fewer than 10 in the Northwoods. Laura Robinson was one of them. The organization found two other recipients from Rhinelander in its database, along with individuals from Phillips, Antigo, Pembine and Ironwood, Mich.

Dream Foundation does not receive state or federal funding, relying entirely on private donations and corporate partnerships. To qualify, applicants must be at least 18, have been diagnosed with a life limiting/terminal illness with a prognosis of one year or less by a health care provider, live in the United States, and lack the resources to fulfill their dream on their own.

One of Robinson’s key partners in the effort is Christine Hayes, one of his mother’s former oncology nurses — the same woman who helped Laura apply to Dream Foundation all those years ago. Now retired, Hayes has helped guide decisions about where concert proceeds should go and has been a vocal advocate for the patient care component of the fundraising.

Dream Foundation CEO Kisa Heyer said the organization is deeply moved by Robinson’s effort. “Jesse and his team have poured their hearts into creating a wonderful event that will help those facing the end of life,” Heyer said in a press release announcing the concert. “Jesse has never forgotten his mother’s dream, and the dreams this event makes possible will create lifelong memories for others.”

Proceeds directed to the James Beck Cancer Center will go toward needs not covered by insurance or existing hospital resources — possibilities include gas cards for patients with financial need, replacement chemotherapy chairs, cold caps to help reduce hair loss during treatment, and hotel vouchers for patients who cannot travel during severe weather. The center draws patients from a wide geographic region, including parts of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Building something bigger

Robinson incorporated a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit — Dazzle’s Demons, named for his Lake Tomahawk Snowshoe Baseball team where he is a third generation player — specifically to make the event possible. Sponsorships from Lake Shore Systems Inc. dba Trident Maritime Systems, the Alex C. Dove Foundation, Consumer Science North, ABX, Frasier’s Plumbing and Heating, and Ahlstrom have helped cover event costs, with the goal of directing ticket sales and other proceeds directly to the three beneficiary organizations.

The concert is shaping up to be more elaborate than a typical concert in the park. A professional production crew will install a raised stage on top of the existing amphitheater platform to allow for standing room up front while maintaining sightlines for seated guests behind. Professional lighting, sound and a truss system are also planned. The Rhinelander Freemasons will operate the beer garden. Up to six food trucks, an ice cream truck, and — in a nod to a beloved Lake Tomahawk Snowshoe Baseball tradition — a pie tent are expected on site. Raffles and activities for kids and families are planned and Robinson is hoping to include a bounce house.

The event is also described as the first of its kind at Hodag Park and at its new amphitheater, and Robinson said he hopes it becomes something more than a one-time fundraiser.

“My hope is that when people look back on this night, they remember more than the music,” Robinson said. “I hope they remember a community showing up for neighbors facing some of the hardest days of their lives, and proving that even in those moments, they are not alone.”

Tickets range from $10 for children five and under to $60 for general admission day-of purchases. Capacity is limited, and advance discounted pricing is available. Tickets can be purchased at zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/northwoods-benefit-concert. For more information, visit linktr.ee/dazzlesdemons. To learn more about Dream Foundation, visit dreamfoundation.org.