In South Florida, 546 local children made a wish and had it come true during a recent 12-month period, thanks to Make-A-Wish Southern Florida and its legion of referral sources, donors and volunteers.
The number is the most wishes ever granted in one fiscal year by the nonprofit organization, meaning a sick child’s dream came true every 16 hours, every day of the 2011-2012 campaign.
Since 1983 the Southern Florida chapter has granted more than 8,500 wishes to children who have life-threatening medical conditions.
Children’s requests usually fall into four categories:
“I wish to be (something).” “I wish to meet (someone).” “I wish to go (somewhere).” I wish to have (something).”
The entire family is included in the wish experience. Disney World is the most popular request (32 percent), followed by travel (26), shopping sprees (14), meeting a celebrity (7), and computers/electronics (4).
Wishes outside of those categories make up the remaining 17 percent of those granted, with the average cost of fulfillment being $5,000.
“The wishes we grant bring happiness to the lives of children and the memories often provide inspiration to continue fighting against the medical problems that threaten their lives,” said Norm Wedderburn, Make-A-Wish Southern Florida president & CEO.
For more information, to make a donation, volunteer or refer a child, call 888-773-WISH, or connect at sfla.wish.org and on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
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