If you would prefer to mail a donation, please send to:
Day Dreams Foundation
1 E Broadway Suite C
Columbia, MO 65203
Some donors are curious about the fees that we incur from online donations. They are as follows:
- Credit/Debit cards — 2.99% fee plus $0.30 per transaction
- ACH/Bank Transfer — 1% fee plus $0.25 per transaction
Remembering Aiyanna
Day Dreams Foundation is absolutely heartbroken by the tragic death of Aiyanna Williams.
We first met Aiyanna in the summer of 2015 when she was 11 years old and received a Day Dreams scholarship to dance with Missouri Contemporary Ballet. The photo of her doing the splits in the middle of the library at her scholarship meeting has always been one of our favorites.
In the early days of the organization, when we had just a few dozen scholarship kids, we made it a priority to attend their activities when possible. Aiyanna’s mom, Phyllis, always invited us to her recitals, and we were fortunate to attend several of them. The incredible smile that was always on her face while performing is something we’ll never forget.
Aiyanna volunteered with Day Dreams at the Food Bank and participated in our first professional photo shoot. When it came time to present our first Star Kid Award at our inaugural Gala in 2016, Aiyanna was the obvious choice. That night was nothing short of magical. She stepped up to the microphone and delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech that moved everyone in the room and earned her a standing ovation. Afterward, a crowd immediately formed, eager to meet her and offer congratulations. She was truly the star of the night. How fitting that she would later play volleyball for the Stephens College Stars.
We continued supporting Aiyanna’s ballet dreams through 2019 and stayed in touch with Phyllis over the years. In 2022, Phyllis joined our Board of Directors and has been a valued member of our program committee, helping award scholarships to new stars in our program.
As part of our 10th anniversary celebration in 2024, we interviewed both Aiyanna and Phyllis about their experience with Day Dreams. Aiyanna shared such a thoughtful perspective on the world — nursing was the perfect career path for someone with so much compassion in her heart.
We’ve told Aiyanna’s story countless times when sharing the mission of Day Dreams Foundation. Her light and her legacy will continue to shine throughout our organization and in the hearts of all who knew her.
In the video created to highlight Aiyanna’s Star Kid Award in 2016, she stated, “While I’m dancing I just feel as if I was a blank piece of paper and all those bad emotions or sad emotions that had happened that day or the day before that, they all went away and it’s like after I dance I feel like I was just set free to do what I love to do. And it just makes me happy every time.”
In this time of unimaginable loss, we ask our community to join us in holding the Williams family, Aiyanna’s loved ones, and all who were touched by her kindness and joy close in your hearts. May her light continue to guide and inspire us all.