A local girl's dream will become a reality this year thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Iowa.

An Iowa girl battling cystic fibrosis is getting her dream trip, thanks to Make-A-Wish Iowa. Make-A-Wish Iowa and Hy-Vee surprised 8-year-old Aaliyah Peters with the trip on Friday. Aaliyah and her family will go on an ocean adventure to Clearwater Beach, Florida, this fall to experience ocean fishing and a dolphin boat tour.

WATERLOO, Iowa — An 8-year-old Waterloo boy got to travel to California to see his favorite sports team on Thursday, all through Make-A-Wish Iowa.

Make-A-Wish Iowa granted 4-year-old Vivian Gomez's wish to become a mermaid and swim in the ocean on Wednesday, fulfilling her lifelong dream. Vivian really loves mermaids and has never been to the ocean, so "this was the perfect wish for her," Cassidy Gomez said.

Starting this year, the Gerdin Charitable Foundation has pledged a $700,000 annual match on donations made to Make-A-Wish Iowa for the next five years to grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. The gift totals “an extraordinary” $3.5 million, the largest pledge ever made in Make-A-Wish Iowa's 39-year history, the nonprofit said in a news release this week.

Make-A-Wish Iowa Welcomes Seven New Board Members, Expanding Leadership to Support Wish Families Statewide