For longtime supporter Jacquie Bayley — who gave Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington our first-ever endowment fund gift — that foundation began early.

“There’s a Jewish term, tzedakah, meaning the practice of giving. It was a form of gratitude. In my family, we lived that value through a pushke, which is a charity box my mom kept in the house that we all contributed to throughout the year,” Jacquie said.

That tradition stayed with her. And after her son, David, was diagnosed with leukemia at seventeen and survived treatment, Jacquie had something new to be grateful for — his health. But then David relapsed two years later and needed a bone marrow transplant. A German woman, living an ocean away, was a match and endured infusions that saved David’s life.

Finding support from a stranger was humbling and pivotal. Knowing that Make-A-Wish offers that same kind of support to children facing critical illnesses inspired Jacquie’s first gift to our chapter: $50.

Around this time, Jacquie’s brother collapsed from a brain aneurysm, and her husband suffered a stroke just months later. That dark season revealed how essential a support system is when life becomes overwhelming.

As she continued reading wish stories, seeing how a wish lifts not only a child but their entire family, Jacquie felt compelled to do more. During a tour of the Make-A-Wish office, she saw framed wish photos lining the walls and heard the stories behind each one. They brought back painful memories of David’s cancer, but they also filled her with gumption to help. She felt that Make-A-Wish unites people in understanding the necessity of HOPE.

Grateful for the financial independence she gained from the sale of IKEA, where she was a co-owner, and from her grandfather’s real estate business, Jacquie said, “I did well. I had enough. I wanted to give major gifts to charities I believe in. My first gift was to Make-A-Wish.”

Jacquie went on to establish our first-ever endowment fund, ensuring the fulfillment of wishes for years to come. And now, her son David has served on our Wish Night committee — our largest annual fundraiser. Philanthropy is a core value for Jacquie’s kids, because they’ve seen that giving flows from a grateful heart. It’s rooted in tzedakah — a tradition of giving that has become Jacquie’s legacy.