Olivia’s last artwork before she passed away

Olivia’s compassion towards others was always on display throughout her life. She had such a big heart and would always put the needs of others before her own. As her father, I was fortunate to see her generosity firsthand. During my bout with cancer, Olivia was incredibly caring and always tried to make sure I was ok. In fact, she was so gentle that some commented about her being a “mother hen”. Olivia was so incredibly generous towards others; not just to friends at school but also towards her sister, Vivienne and cousin, Sophia.

As we age, we have the tendency to not see the bigger picture. Olivia has reenergized me and our organization by allowing us to think like a kid and to understand the sky is truly the limit for helping others. I personally lost that feeling growing up…but now I have it back. Our mission is to take her DREAM and build something so significant that we never forget the life lessons she taught us in 8-1/2 short years.

A simple message remains: Be kind and your world will be like a rainbow!

- Kurt Schneider, Executive Director

“Olivia’s death was tragic. Instead of anger, we choose to love. Our mission is to help families in need that suffer from any variety of trauma.”

- David Schneider, OIivia’s Uncle & CFO of Olivia’s Dream

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Olivia’s Dream’s Core Values

Kindness Counts

We pay it forward because that’s the way Olivia lived, and that’s the way Olivia showed us to live.

Be a “Mother Hen”

During her father’s bout with cancer, Olivia was incredibly caring and always tried to make sure he was ok. In fact, she was so gentle and attentive that some commented about her being a “mother hen”.

Lead with Your Heart

Olivia's compassion towards others was always on display throughout her life. She had a huge heart and would always put the needs of others before her own.

Generosity to All

Before her death, Olivia was planning a toy drive at her school. That’s who Olivia was - a generous child that enjoyed helping others in need.

Keep a Child’s Perspective

The purity of a child’s mind and outlook is the greatest gift that Olivia could’ve left behind. Our mission is now to take her DREAM and way of thinking and insert that into our daily lives.

The Sky is the Limit

“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” ― Malala Yousafzai

Together, there are no bounds to what we can achieve.

A Philosphy of Giving

Our mission began with Olivia’s idea of being kind and executing her idea of a toy drive. In our first year of collecting toys, we were amazed by the 6,850 plus result, and we have not slowed down since. Just last year, we collected over 11,000 toys, bringing our four-year total to over 30,000 toys! Be on the lookout for Olivia’s Dream Toys for Tots boxes around the Greater Cleveland area this holiday season!

30,000 +

toys donated

We then decided to take it a step further. We came up with the idea to create an endowment through Make-A-Wish, which came with a goal of raising the $150,000 required to fulfill a permanent endowment in Olivia’s name. In just over two years, we achieved that goal with the help of your generosity and fundraising at our annual golf outing. This endowment is so significant. In fact, we have been told it is the first-ever endowment of its kind completed in the region of Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio through Make-A-Wish!