Make-A-Wish Southern Florida

History
Make-A-Wish Southern Florida has a sole mission: Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Started in 1983 by the Plantation Junior Woman's Club, the Southern Florida chapter has grown from granting a wish every 180 days to granting a wish every 14 hours. In our 40-year history, the organization has granted more than 14, 000 wishes. The 14,000th wish came true when Charlie, wish kid, 5 years old, got his heartfelt wish for a Super Mario Bros-themed golf cart.  It is our vision to grant the wish of every medically-eligible child in our territory.  Make-A-Wish Southern Florida serves children and families in 22 Florida counties in Southeast and Southwest Florida, the Tampa Bay and Suncoast regions and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Impact
Every eligible child who is referred will have a wish granted. And because each child's wish includes the entire family, thousands of individuals are positively impacted by wishes each year.

Wishes Granted
In the 2022 fiscal year, we granted more than 625 wishes to local children with critical illnesses. Additionally, we granted 250+ wishes, in collaboration with other chapters, when children come to our territory to experience their wishes.

Wish Types
A wish is limited only by a child's imagination. Make-A-Wish provides the structure, but it is the child's request that determines how the volunteers will turn the dream into reality. Make-A-Wish's most popular wishes are: Walt Disney World® 31%, Shopping Spree 11%, Domestic/Int'l Travel 23%, Celebrity 7%, Cruise 16%, Other 11%

Volunteers
More than 600 dedicated volunteers support our wish-granting mission. They assist as wish granters, at special events, in the office, and as airport greeters.