Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington

March is Social Work Month, and we're taking this opportunity to celebrate some of our incredible social workers who play an important role in our work! ???? Barbara is one of our amazing social workers from Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. She has referred children to Make-A-Wish Alaska & Washington for over eight years because she knows how important wishes are to total patient care. “I believe that wishes are important because most children with critical illnesses do not have the means to take a fun vacation or have a fort built in the backyard. Patients and parents work seven days per week with treatment plans, just to stay healthy. They work very hard and deserve to take a break and enjoy a family vacation or activity,” said Barbra. “I believe wishes impact our community because it gives kids hope and builds up their self-esteem. When a child gets their wish, it allows parents and caregivers the chance to see their child experience happiness, joy and excitement.” Thank you, Barbara, for your commitment to our mission! ??

Wishes have liftoff! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported our annual Wish Night Gala & Auction: Space to Dream! ? Your generosity and support raised an incredible $2.4 Million (and counting), helping us to grant even more wishes. We could not have achieved this without our wonderful sponsors. A special shout-out to our presenting sponsor, Wolfe Plumbing Inc, for their unwavering support. Together, we can continue to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Learning how to navigate the world, figuring out who you are, or what you want to pursue as a career, are all teenage concerns. And the emotions that go hand-in-hand with them are only heightened when given a diagnosis of a critical illness. For wish alum Tai, this was her lived experience. At 16, she was diagnosed with aggressive bone cancer. But 22 years later, the most special part of Tai’s wish isn’t rooted in a single day or experience, but instead how it shaped the course of her life. Read Tai's inspiring story at https://lnkd.in/gsG8h-uh

Get ready for takeoff! ?? Our Silent Auction is OPEN! ?? As we count down to Wish Night Gala & Auction: Space to Dream this weekend, we are excited to present some auction items that are now available for bidding. From exciting getaways to local sports experiences and much more, there’s something for everyone. Your support helps give wish kids the space to dream. ? Bid NOW at https://lnkd.in/g8CyKCGY

Are you in Kitsap County and looking for a daily dose of inspiration and hope? If so, we have the remedy for you. Join us in making wishes come true by donating to our local chapter through the Kitsap Great Give TODAY! This 24-hour online “give-day” rallies you and your neighbors to make a difference for local causes (including Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington!) in Kitsap County. Donate TODAY ONLY at https://lnkd.in/gvsb3mKU

One day your wish is granted and the next day you are the belle of the ball, emceeing an event in front of nearly 1,000 people! Meet Makenna—our inspiring Wish Night 2025 emcee and wish alum! ?? Back in 2015, her heartfelt wish to give came true. The next year, she shared her story on stage at Wish Night. Fast forward nearly a decade, and now she’s back, ready to light up the stage once again for Space to Dream. ? "Wish Night truly is such a special night. Celebrating the power of a wish in a ballroom FULL of people--hearing from Wish Alums on the long-lasting impact of their wishes--and knowing that you can make other wishes come true, makes for a one-of-a-kind evening! It's inspiring, hope filled and joyful and I can't wait. It's going to be an incredible night!" We can’t wait to celebrate this full-circle moment with Makenna! ??

Did you know that Make-A-Wish Alaska & Washington staff is led by an incredible team of dedicated women? ? As we celebrate International Women's Day, it's time to shine a light on these extraordinary women who help to lead and shape the organization. Thank you all for your commitment and dedication to our mission! ?? #InternationalWomensDay #WomenLeaders

Happy Employee Appreciation Day! ?? At Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington, we are fueled and guided by our core values of inclusion, joy, excellence, integrity and collaboration. These values were inspired by the people we work with and the life-changing work we do every day. Many different leaders make our work possible. Learn more about the people who make wishes possible! ? We are always on the lookout for great talent who share in our passion. If you are interested in a career or internship with Make-A-Wish, visit wish.org/akwa and check back frequently.

Time to cheer and exchange virtual high fives! ?? Thanks to your incredible kindness and support, we granted 24 wishes last month! ?? These moments brought joy and unforgettable smiles to our wish kids. Swipe to find out more about some of these wishes you made possible!

Manny was given the space to dream big when he made a wish that was truly out of this world. With his deep love for space, rockets, and science — and a dream of becoming an astronaut one day — he set his sights high. His passion and limitless imagination inspired this year’s Wish Night theme: Space to Dream. ??? When it came time to decide on his wish, Manny didn’t just shoot for the stars—he aimed for the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. There, he got to tour the iconic space hub, marvel at a rocket up close, and even meet a real astronaut.