SAN DIEGO (August 14, 2024) - Two local Kids for Wish Kids’ clubs— from Del Norte & Westview High Schools— celebrated their success of raising over $10,000 to grant a local wish in San Diego with Make-A-Wish! Students from both school clubs worked together during the last school year to fundraise and raise awareness for Make-A-Wish. To celebrate this collaboration, Best Pizza in Carmel Mountain Ranch hosted a pizza celebration for over 30 students before they start the next school year. 

 Del Norte High School’s “Make-A-Wish" club president, Aidan Drykerman, was inspired to fundraise for the organization after his best friend had their wish to visit Hawaii granted. As other students joined the mission of helping children living with critical illnesses-- from both Del Norte and its sister school, Westview High, their fundraising efforts proved fruitful. Through social media advertisements, on-campus events, and recurrent community outreach, the two schools surpassed their fundraising goal of $10,000.  

 “Just being so close to someone who has been so positively impacted by this foundation, it just made me feel so good that I’m doing all of this work for a great cause... It doesn't mean that that they’re [Wish Kids] are terminally ill, it just means they’ll be impacted for the duration of their life. So we help them and just give them a spark of joy,” said Drykerman. Make-A-Wish San Diego expresses their pride and gratitude in the efforts of San Diego’s Kids for Wish Kids. 

 The celebration event also included a live performance by Make-A-Wish recipient Avila, 13, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2019 before her wish to have a home recording studio was granted. Her wish created a safe place for Avila to be creative and make music with her siblings, which was especially important when she experienced a relapse the following year, causing her to miss nearly three years of school. Avila was declared cancer-free in January of 2024 and performed an original song, which she wrote in her home music studio and additional cover songs. More on Avila’s wish: Avila's Wish (youtube.com) 

  The Kids For Wish Kids program engages students, schools, and youth organizations in philanthropy and service activities in partnership with Make-A-Wish San Diego. The program encourages community service, leadership, volunteerism, and teamwork. It builds team spirit and gives students hands-on experience fundraising to help create life-changing wishes for kids fighting critical illnesses. Kids For Wish Kids puts kids in charge. They take the lead in brainstorming fundraising ideas, creating action plans, and managing everything from start to finish. Students can even combine their efforts for existing school events, such as spirit week or field day. For more information on the program: Kids for Wish Kids - Make-A-Wish® San Diego