Toby's Dream Origin 

The concept of Toby’s Dream began in December 2014 as the brain-child of  Toby’s friend and 

fellow veteran, Don Swander. Toby had discussed with Don his intentions to find a way to pave the 

access road and parking lot to the Windham Veteran’s Center. Toby strongly believed that paving the 

Veterans Center would greatly improve the facility for community use.  Don approached Toby’s wife 

Brenda and daughter Taylor about a fundraising project to raise the $50,000+ dollars it would take to 

complete the paving which they dubbed “Toby’s Dream”.  The project kicked off in January of 2016 with 

a media event at the Veteran’s Center which netted initial donations of over $6,000 from Toby’s friends, 

family and business owners.  Over the course of the next weeks and months, thousands of dollars were 

raised.  Many businesses and individuals stepped up with a donation of $1000 or more to become a 

“Grand Donor”.  On Saturday May 23rd, 2015, the Toby’s Dream Project first annual 5K was held at 

Windham High School under the leadership of Windham Cross Country coach Jeff Riddle.  The race was 

attended by over 200 runners, and the day’s events included door prizes, silent auction, grand raffle, 

and a community breakfast.  The event netted over $8,000, which put the total donations received for 

the paving project just over the $50,000 goal.  The paving was completed in the fall of 2015 by Grondin 

& Sons – a much needed upgrade that has tremendously improved access to the Veteran’s Center.

Toby's Dream Continues 

With the paving project complete Toby's Dream will continue  in support and recognition of the military, education, and athletics. The success of the 2015 5k race was a springboard into what we hope to be a growing annual event where our community can gather to celebrate Memorial Day, honor Veterans, and remember our friend and neighbor, Toby.