Since 1981, millions have been inspired by the Make-A-Wish® mission—to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Here in Central and Northern Florida, more than 7,000 wishes have already come true, thanks to the generosity of people like you.
For more than 40 years, Make-A-Wish has relied on caring individuals, businesses, and community partners to help bring hope to children who need it most. Whether you donate, volunteer, or attend a local event like the Wishmaker’s Ball Orlando, your involvement helps transform lives right here in our community.
How can I support Make-A-Wish in Orlando?
You can support Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida by donating, hosting a fundraiser, volunteering, attending events, or becoming a corporate partner through our Champions of Hope program. Every act of generosity helps grant life-changing wishes for local kids facing critical illnesses.
Why Support Make-A-Wish?
Every family we serve is doing their best to navigate the ups and downs of childhood—but with the added challenges of battling a critical illness. Between doctor’s appointments, hospital stays, and long treatments, it’s easy for everyday moments of joy to get lost in the shuffle.
That’s where Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida™ steps in. A granted wish gives a child—and their entire family—something priceless to look forward to: hope, strength, and the chance to just be kids again.
When you support Make-A-Wish, you’re doing far more than funding a single wish. You’re helping to:
- Restore confidence and joy for local children facing serious illnesses
- Strengthen families during their most difficult days
- Bring our community together around the power of compassion
Your support directly impacts children right here in our region—from Orlando to Gainesville, Daytona Beach, and beyond. Together, we can continue building a community where hope shines even in the hardest moments.
Learn more about the impact of your support by exploring recent Wish Stories.
How To Support Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida
There are so many ways to get involved with Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida™—from individual donations to hands-on volunteer work. Whether you’re part of a club, corporation, or community group, or simply an individual who wants to make a difference, every effort helps bring life-changing wishes to local kids.
Below are five meaningful ways to support Make-A-Wish in Orlando and beyond.
1. Make a Donation to Make-A-Wish
One of the most direct ways to make an impact is through a donation. Even a small contribution can help create a world of joy for a child facing a critical illness.
You can choose to make a one-time or monthly gift through our secure online donation portal. You can even designate that your donation stays local, ensuring that your gift supports wish kids right here in Central and Northern Florida.
Make-A-Wish also welcomes in-kind donations, including stocks, airline miles, hotel loyalty points, vehicles, and building materials—all of which help us fulfill wishes and expand our reach.
For business owners and corporate partners, our Champions of Hope program offers a meaningful way to engage your company in community impact while helping children experience the power of a wish come true.
Every dollar and donation—no matter the form—helps give local children the hope, strength, and joy they need most.
2. Host a Fundraiser To Help Wish Kids
Looking for a fun, creative way to make a difference? Hosting a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida™ is one of the most rewarding ways to support local children with critical illnesses—and anyone can do it!
From lemonade stands and bake sales to trivia nights or charity walks, the possibilities are endless. Make-A-Wish offers an easy-to-use online fundraising platform that helps you collect donations safely and securely.
You can also Adopt-A-Wish, allowing your fundraiser to directly support a specific child’s dream. Imagine knowing that your efforts helped send a child to meet their hero or experience their dream trip—it’s an unforgettable feeling.
Need inspiration? Check out our Kids For Wish Kids® program, which empowers young people and schools to get creative while helping grant wishes.
Whether you raise $100 or $10,000, your fundraiser gives children facing critical illnesses something incredible to look forward to—a wish come true.
3. Purchase From Our Partners
Supporting Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida™ can be as simple as shopping with purpose. Many of our national and local partners donate a portion of their proceeds to help grant wishes for children battling critical illnesses—so your everyday purchases can help create extraordinary moments of joy.
When you buy select products or services from these companies (whether it’s during the holidays or throughout the year), a portion of your purchase goes directly toward granting wishes for kids right here in our community.
It’s an effortless way to make a meaningful impact—just by doing what you already do. Check out our current partners and promotions to see how your next purchase could help bring a child’s dream to life.
Every purchase with a purpose brings us one step closer to granting another life-changing wish.
4. Attend a Local Event
Our events are more than celebrations—they’re powerful reminders of what happens when a community comes together for a common purpose. By attending a local Make-A-Wish event, you’re helping raise essential funds while sharing in the joy, laughter, and inspiration that make each wish possible.
Each year, hundreds of supporters join us for our two flagship events:
- Walk For Wishes – A family-friendly fundraiser that celebrates local wish kids and the donors and volunteers who make their dreams come true.
- Wishmaker’s Ball – An elegant evening of dinner, auctions, and wish stories that showcase the transformative power of hope.
In addition to these signature events, Make-A-Wish partners with local businesses and community groups to host smaller gatherings throughout the year—from charity golf tournaments to restaurant nights that benefit local wish kids.
Every ticket purchased and every event attended helps us grant more wishes for children across Central and Northern Florida.
5. Volunteer With Make-A-Wish
If you’re looking for a hands-on way to make an impact, volunteering with Make-A-Wish is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. Volunteers are the heart of our organization—they’re the dream-builders who help turn imagination into reality for children with critical illnesses.
No matter your background, skills, or schedule, there’s a role for you. Here are a few of the ways volunteers help make wishes come true:
- Wish Discovery Volunteers: Work directly with wish families to help children identify their heartfelt wish and guide them through the process.
- Wish Enhancement Volunteers: Help plan and reveal each wish, creating unforgettable “big reveal” moments filled with joy and surprise.
- Translators & Interpreters: Spanish and Portuguese-speaking volunteers help families communicate comfortably throughout the wish journey.
- Event Volunteers: Assist with planning and hosting events like the Wishmaker’s Ball or Walk for Wishes.
- Skills-Based Volunteers: Lend your professional expertise—such as photography, graphic design, construction, or décor—to help bring creative wish experiences to life.
When you volunteer, you’re not just giving your time—you’re giving hope, joy, and strength to children who need it most.
Interested in getting started? Visit our Volunteer Opportunities page to learn more and sign up today.
You Can Make a Difference In Central Florida
Every action—whether it’s donating, volunteering, or attending an event—plays a vital role in helping Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida create life-changing experiences for local children facing critical illnesses.
A granted wish is more than just a special day. It’s a powerful source of hope that strengthens families and inspires entire communities. Studies show that wishes can provide lasting emotional and mental health benefits for wish kids and their loved ones, reminding them that brighter days are ahead.
When you support Make-A-Wish, you’re helping kids across our region—from Orlando and Daytona Beach to Gainesville and beyond—rediscover joy and resilience in the midst of their toughest battles.
Together, we can continue to make the impossible possible—one wish, one child, and one act of kindness at a time.
Ready to get involved? Visit the Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida website to learn more about how you can make a difference today.
