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When a child is diagnosed with cancer, normal family routines come to a sudden stop.  Everything must now revolve around that youngster’s fight for survival. Chris and Sue Hoefflin, co-founders of the Michael Hoefflin Foundation certainly understand that situation. Their son, Michael, fought a four-year battle against recurrent brain cancer. Throughout his ordeal, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles became the Hoefflin’s home-away-from-home. Despite Michael’s anguish, he selflessly wished for a day when no child would ever have to know the horrors of cancer. He longed for an end to all forms of this disease.

 

With his blessings, the foundation bearing his name was formed in September of 1995. Although Michael died the following year, his spirit and hope lives on through his charity.

A public non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, the Michael Hoefflin Foundation provides emotional and financial support to children and families in the Santa Clarita Valley (and surrounding valleys) affected by pediatric cancer. The foundation also provides education and grant funding for innovative research at leading scientific institutions. Thanks to local fundraising and donations, the foundation’s outreach is able to provide assistance and cheer to families via: Grocery and gas cards, meals, family support groups, fun outings and parties, toys, and more. The organization also has a partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

With a heart for food and family, Dream Dinners owner Martha Shickley “cooked up” an appetizing idea last year. She decided to provide the foundation with free Dream Dinners.  Thanks to her kindness, their large freezer receives dozens of delicious frozen gourmet meals each month, all conveniently prepared at Dream Dinners in Valencia, then ready to be cooked and enjoyed in weeks ahead.

For families battling pediatric cancer, these easy meals are greatly appreciated after a long day at the hospital, said Sue Hoefflin, during Dream Dinners’ recent two-year anniversary open house.

 
“It’s the biggest gift you could ever imagine and it’s in their freezer ready to go when they need it,” she said. “The families really love these meals. They keep several in their freezers to use for times when their children undergo cancer treatments and there is no time to plan ahead for dinner.”
Chris Hoefflin echoed his wife’s gratitude.

“These families already have enough on their plate and the meals add a lot of comfort and relief,” he said. “We are so very thankful to Martha, her husband Greg, and the staff at Dream Dinners.”

With 208 retail locations nationally, Dream Dinners was the brainchild of Stephanie Allen, a former Seattle caterer with a talent for preparing delectable freezer meals. It’s an innovative concept: Dream Dinners comes up with complete, tasty menus, doing all the preparation (with quality ingredients) and all the clean up. Patrons simply come in and assemble their meals. Especially useful for “overscheduled” American families, empty nesters, college students, and single parents, Dream Dinners provides scheduled assembly sessions that are alsoenjoyable soirees, replete with expert staff assistance. (Recipes may be tailored to specific tastes and dietary needs.)

Shickley says she’s thrilled to be part of the local nest of philanthropic businesses that parlay success into helping others.

“What goes around comes around,” she said. “That’s what Dream Dinners was founded on. It’s taking care of families, putting dinner back on the table and having a good time while we are doing it. That’s why I’m here, and I’m here to support the community.”

Shickley also praised the Hoefflins and the service they provide together.

“Sue and Chris are so important and this is such a great partnership we share,” she said.


Contact the Michael Hoefflin Foundation at 661-250-4100 or go online to www.mhf.org.
Contact Dream Dinners at 661-295-1694. Address: 27674 Newhall Ranch Road Suite 60, Valencia.

Santa Clarita Magazine

Santa Clarita Magazine