Make-A-Wish kicks off year two of "WishMakers Wanted" campaign for World Wish Month

Campaign rallies communities worldwide to help make wishes possible as the organization celebrates 45 years of granting wishes

PHOENIX, March 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Every day, Make-A-Wish grants 89 wishes, on average, throughout the world because of WishMakers. WishMakers are everyday people who take action, giving their time, talent or treasure to make life-changing wishes possible. There are countless WishMakers in communities worldwide serving as volunteers, fundraisers, donors, corporate partners and community supporters but more are needed. Now in its second year, the "WishMakers Wanted" campaign strives to satisfy the critical need for more WishMakers to help Make-A-Wish achieve its goal of bringing the hope and joy of a wish to every eligible child.

"WishMakers Wanted" will last the entire month of April, otherwise known as World Wish Month. Throughout World Wish Month, Make-A-Wish chapters in the U.S. and international affiliates will shine a light on WishMakers in the community through earned, owned and paid media as well as multi-channel storytelling. Other campaign elements and activations include the following:

• Make-A-Wish will kick off World Wish Month with a private reception for WishMakers in New York City hosted by Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East.
• Make-A-Wish will embark on a first-of-its-kind, coast-to-coast tour that will bring communities of WishMakers together. Tour stops include New York City, Chicago, Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas and more.
• WishMakers everywhere are invited to participate in the shared creation of a mosaic image that visually represents how, through their contributions, WishMakers create something larger than themselves.
• From April 14-24, Make-A-Wish and eBay for Charity will partner on an auction where 100% of the proceeds from the highly sought-after items and experiences from celebrity and corporate WishMakers will go toward granting wishes. Follow Make-A-Wish America on social media for more information as the auction approaches.
• Celebrity WishMakers across sports and entertainment will join in, posting their experience on social media and inviting fans to join them as WishMakers. Videos will be shared across Make-A-Wish America social media channels once posted.
• Corporate WishMakers will activate in stores or online to raise money and engage their customers. National corporate partners participating during World Wish Month include: A-1 Garage Door Service, American Airlines, Avis, Benjamin Moore, BuzzRx, Celebration Exotic Car Festival, Chase, Dave & Buster's, Fanatics, Fairmont Hotels, IT'SUGAR, Kendra Scott, Maggiano's Little Italy, Main Event, Marriott Vacations Worldwide, Nature's Own, Red Robin, Royal Caribbean International, Sugarwish, The Learning Experience, The Walt Disney Company, Topgolf, United Airlines, and WWE.

"We need more WishMakers because every 20 minutes, a child is diagnosed with a critical illness—and for these children and their families, a wish can be transformative," said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. "For 45 years, we've heard firsthand from medical professionals, parents, and wish alumni that wishes can inspire hope, ignite joy, build resilience, and even contribute to better health outcomes. That's why we are deeply committed to bringing the life-changing power of a wish to as many deserving children as possible."

World Wish Month builds upon the foundation of World Wish Day celebrated every year on April 29, the anniversary of then-7-year-old Chris' wish to be a police officer in 1980. Forever changed by the experience, some of the original WishMakers involved in Chris' wish decided to create Make-A-Wish – a decision that sparked the global wish-granting movement that has led to more than 615,000 wishes being granted.

Learn more and become a WishMaker today at wishmaker.org.

About Make-A-Wish^®
Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Founded in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is the #1 most trusted nonprofit operating locally in all 50 states throughout the U.S. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and more than 20,000 volunteers across the country, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 615,000 wishes worldwide; more than 390,000 wishes in the U.S. and its territories alone. For more information about Make-A-Wish America, visit wish.org.

Make-A-Wish, Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Make-A-Wish swirl-and-star logo are marks of Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.

SOURCE MAKE-A-WISH AMERICA