Student WishMakers
Rally Together. Grant Wishes. Become a Student WishMaker.
Student WishMakers is the new, unified identity for all school and youth-led fundraising at Make-A-Wish®.
It’s a student-led movement, supported by teachers, coaches, parents and community leaders, with a voice that’s empowering, authentic and welcoming.
Previously, youth fundraising programs such as Kids for Wish Kids® and WishMakers on Campus® operated separately from each other. All student fundraising will now be unified under the Student WishMakers umbrella, which includes three age-based pathways for kids, teens and college students to find their fit.
If you want to join in the fun and raise money to help grant wishes, please contact:
Southeast Florida Region: Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Monroe, Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Indian River, Highlands
Marissa Sievert msievert@sfla.wish.org, (305) 395-6359
Southwest Florida Region: Collier, Hendry, Lee, Glades
Patty Moore pmoore@sfla.wish.org, (239) 992-6456
Suncoast Region: Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Manatee, Sarasota
Taylor Marini tmarini@sfla.wish.org, (941) 378-9474
Tampa Bay Region: Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas
Reilley Halter rhalter@sfla.wish.org (813) 296-8075
Disney Market at Sanders Memorial Elementary
Students at Sanders Memorial Elementary School in Land O' Lakes turned learning into impact through their annual Disney Market. As the culminating project for their final Authentic Learning Unit, first grade students created and sold handmade items with the support of their families and school community. This year's event raised more than $4,000, bringing the Disney Market's four-year fundraising total to more than $14,500. Through this hands-on experience, students strengthened skills across multiple subject areas while making a meaningful difference.
The Youth Leadership Committee (YLC)
The Youth Leadership Committee is a youth leadership opportunity in Southern Florida.
Committee members of the group attend monthly meetings, elect officers and work together on fundraising projects to help make wishes come true.
Through this committee, students learn valuable skills such as leadership, organization, budgeting and planning, that will be helpful in college, at work and beyond. Started in 2014, the YLC raised more than $200,000 to grant life-changing wishes! Our goal is to grow this program into a network of youth across Southern Florida that will ensure that every eligible child’s wish is granted.
If you’d like to learn more about the Youth Leadership Committee, please contact:
Natalia Yepes, Special Events Coordinator
Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach
(305) 428-2149
nyepes@sfla.wish.org
Membership Requirements
In order to be a member, you must:
- Live in Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach and be passionate about helping kids with critical illnesses
- Attend grades 8-12
- Commit to activities on a one-year term basis. Member may opt to reapply for another term.
- Attend monthly meetings during your term to learn about the mission, brand standards, and fundraising procedures at Make-A-Wish.
- Have a committed adult advisor (parent, teacher, or counselor) who is willing to help you during your term and attend meetings.
- Create and execute your own fundraiser with support from your advisor, the Youth Leadership Committee, and Make-A-Wish mentors
- Be willing to communicate quickly and effectively by phone and email
- Work together with the YLC to advertise and organize several fundraisers each semester with the goal of funding more wishes
Why join?
As a member, you will have the opportunity to:
- Network with Make-A-Wish staff, business professionals, and other youth who are passionate about volunteering and philanthropy
- Develop leadership skills that will help in a future job search or college applications
- Make a difference in the lives of children with critical illnesses
- Earn volunteer hours
- Receive a certificate of completion
- Have a lot of fun!