Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire

This Thanksgiving, we’re inspired by Matthew, a remarkable young man from Huntington Beach who turned his journey with Burkitt lymphoma into a story of gratitude and giving. After enduring countless treatments, Matthew chose to give back, donating toys and electronics to brighten the days of pediatric patients at the hospital where he received care. Hear more about Matthew’s incredible wish and its lasting impact tomorrow on KTLA 5 at 12:45 PM. Let’s celebrate the power of giving and hope this holiday season! ?? #Thanksgiving #LeadershipThroughGiving #Matthew’sWish #HopeInAction #MakeAWishOCIE #KTLA5

? Join our intern team and help make wishes come true! ? We are hiring passionate individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of children facing critical illnesses. If you're ready to be part of something truly special, we want to hear from you! Visit our website to learn more and apply today. https://lnkd.in/gcHSuBp #MakeAWish?#Internships?#GiveHope?#ChangeLives

?? A huge THANK YOU to Target for their incredible generosity and holiday spirit! ???? This season, Target went above and beyond by donating items that will make so many wishes come true, including PlayStation 5s—one of the most requested items on our wish kids' lists for shopping sprees and electronic wishes. These donations bring joy, excitement, and a sense of magic to children with critical illnesses. ??? On Friday, we welcomed 11 amazing Target volunteers to our office, where they spread holiday cheer by decorating our space and sending heartfelt letters to our wish kids. Your dedication to creating joy and hope is inspiring, and we’re so grateful to have you as part of our Make-A-Wish family. Together, we’re lighting up the season for children and families who need it most. ?? Thank you, Target, for helping us make dreams come true! ?? #ThankYouTarget #WishKids #HolidayMagic #MakeAWish #PS5 #Volunteers #Gratitude #CommunitySupport

??? Meet Alexander, a brave boy from Fontana fighting cancer with incredible strength and a big dream. He loves drawing, video games, and spending time with his sisters. Thanks to the kindness of our donors, Alexander’s wish for a custom-built gaming computer came true! His new computer, designed to his exact specifications (and in his favorite color—blue! ??), gives him a joyful escape during chemo treatments and fuels his dream of one day working in the video game industry. This life-changing gift brings Alexander so much happiness and hope. ?? Thank you for helping make wishes like Alexander’s a reality! ?? #WishGranted #GamingDreams #HopeAndStrength

Our Annual Meeting brought together board members, volunteers, supporters, and wish alumni who all share a passion for bringing hope to children with critical illnesses. Attendees were deeply moved by Wish Alum Ewan’s story. Ewan, who dreams of becoming a pilot, shared about the journey his wish has set him on and his ambitious plans for the future. His story is a beautiful testament to the life-changing power of a wish. ???? Highlights from FY24 were shared by our Board Chair, Komron Tarkeshian , and CEO Anne Grey, who proudly announced that we granted 271 wishes to children in need, with a program ratio of 70%! Thank you to everyone whose dedication makes this possible. We also celebrated milestones, including the incredible commitment of our volunteers, two of whom celebrated 20 years of service. Your selfless contributions are truly the backbone of our mission. A heartfelt thank you to our Board Members who retired from their positions: Mark Carlos, Whit Batchelor, CFP?, Jason Lantgen, Corey Donaldson, and Komron Tarkeshian. Your leadership and dedication have been invaluable, and we’re excited to see the legacy you’ve built continue to inspire. Larry Graff from Fight On for Jackson shared a moving story of how one child’s wish to give his wish to another has created a ripple of kindness that has continued for eight years, impacting countless lives. ?? Here’s to everyone who makes the mission of Make-A-Wish possible every day! Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. #MakeAWishOCIE #AnnualMeeting #WishAlum #BoardOfDirectors #VolunteerAppreciation #HopeAndJoy

Happy 3-year anniversary to our Sr. Marketing and Communications Manager, Katelynn! Thank you for all that you do and your dedication to the mission! #WorkAnniversary #makeawish ???

McKenzie is a brave 6-year-old from Arkansas who has been battling leukemia. Her wish to meet Emily Calandrelli from Emily’s Wonder Lab came true thanks to supports like you! McKenzie had an amazing time creating spooky experiments with Emily.???? Her Halloween science experience was truly magical and gave her and her family hope for the future. ? #wishwednesday?#halloween?#makeawish

This past Friday, we had the privilege of recognizing Craig Evans, President and CEO of The Norris Group, and Joey Romero for their 15+ years of unwavering support of Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire. Through generous contributions totaling over $1 million, The Norris Group Hard Money & Real Estate Investments has helped bring joy and hope to countless children battling critical illnesses. Featured at the event was Alexander’s story—a brave young wish kid fighting cancer whose dream to own a gaming computer came true thanks to funds raised through the "I Survived Real Estate" event. His story is a powerful reminder of the difference that compassion and community support can make in a child’s life. Thank you to The Norris Group for your outstanding generosity and dedication. Together, we’re creating hope and changing lives for kids like Alexander. ??? #MakeAWishOCIE #ISurvivedRealEstate #ThankYou #TheNorrisGroup #MakingWishesComeTrue #CommunityImpact #Philanthropy #WishesGranted

? What an unforgettable night! Thanks to your incredible generosity, The Make-A-Wish Gala: A Parisian Masquerade raised over $700,000 to grant life-changing wishes for local children with critical illnesses. A huge thank you to our presenting sponsor, The Anthony & Carie Ferry Foundation, for helping make this magical evening possible! ?? One of the most heartwarming moments was when Ryder, a 5-year-old wish kid battling a brain tumor, shared a special "boop" with Mickey Mouse. His mom shared, "When Ryder was first extubated after a massive seizure, he didn’t speak for a few days... so when he started to interact with us, he would 'boop' our noses. Seeing him 'boop' Mickey’s nose was incredibly special." ?? Thank you for being part of this magical evening! Together, we’re making wishes come true! ?? #WishGala2024 #PowerOfAWish #ThankYou #MakingMagic #ParisianMasquerade

Do you know a fundraising professional who wants to help make wishes come true for critically ill children? Please send them our way! #hiring