This past year, we’ve all had a glimpse of what it feels like to wait for hope. Plans have been delayed, we've been separated from our families, fear and isolation have permeated our lives – all due to circumstances beyond our control.

For children with critical illnesses, feelings of isolation and hopelessness are all too familiar. ​​Hospital stays, doctor’s visits and painful treatments are their “new normal.” For them, finding hope in challenging circumstances is something they have been doing long before any of us heard the word “lockdown.”​​

Hope strengthens us, connects us. Hope empowers us to transform our own lives and the lives of those around us. ​​

But hope isn’t something that just happens to us; it’s something we can create. ​​
That’s why this year for World Wish Day we celebrated someone who created hope here in our own community.

Wish Kid, Sam, didn’t wait for hope; last year on World Wish Day, he distributed over 200 wish kits to healthcare workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sam’s wish taught us a valuable lesson-It takes an entire community to a grant a wish.

A child’s wish begins with hope – and hope begins with you!

Thank you to our passionate sponsors who celebrated World Wish Day by creating hope!

Create Hope Sponsors- The Paleta Bar, Clay & Shawna Holderman

Spread Hope Sponsors- Chevron, Duke City Redi-Mix, MVD Now, and Darren White

Spark Hope Sponsors- Jennifer Riordan Foundation

A 17-year-old Make-A-Wish recipient celebrated the one-year anniversary of his wish on World Wish Day.  Read more

A year ago, an area teenager received his wish to give back to health-care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and he gave back again last week.  Read more