GUELPH – It is the season of giving, and organizers of a holiday fundraising campaign are hoping people will give generously to make it a season of wishes granted, too.
“It’s all about bringing hope and joy to the children we support,” said Jenifer Grimshaw, director of development for the Guelph Wish Fund For Children.
The charitable organization provides “wishes” for children and teens in Guelph and Wellington County who are living with a significant illness, life-altering injury or rare and debilitating syndrome.
And this year, the organization has created the “’Tis the Season of Wishes” campaign, a new initiative that invites community members to help fulfill children’s wishes.
“We wanted to have a meaningful way to engage the community,” Grimshaw said.
The campaign, which runs throughout December, asks donors to choose a wish that resonates with them, then make a donation to help make it come true.
The wishes vary from specialized medical equipment to family holidays, to toys and games, day trips, or the chance to meet a favourite celebrity.
“Each wish varies in cost, allowing donors to sponsor an entire wish or contribute to making one possible,” states an explanation of the campaign on the Guelph Wish Fund website.
There is also an option to make the donations part of your holiday giving by making the donation in someone’s name, Grimshaw said.
“It’s perfect for gifting for the holidays” for people who don’t want or need tangible gifts, she said.
When making a donation, donors simply select a box that says “give a gift in someone’s name,” and they will receive a digital certificate reading “A Wish Was Granted in Your Name” that they can give to family or friends.
And if donors want to better understand how their money is used, they can check out the “12 Days of Wishes Countdown” on the organization’s website and social media pages.
“It just kind of gives a peek into the impact that the donors will have,” said Grimshaw.
Ethan was diagnosed with leukemia at age two in 2022. His family has never had a family vacation, so that is his wish from the Guelph Wish Fund for Children. Photo from guelphwishfund.com
For example, there is Hasan, a 15-year-old with cerebral palsy and quadriplegia.
“His wish is simple but life-changing – a ramp outside his home to help him come and go safely,” the social media post reads.
Or there’s Ethan, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2022 at just two years old. He won’t be finished treatment until just before his fifth birthday, the website states.
“Ethan was only five months old when the pandemic hit, and being diagnosed with cancer toward the end of the pandemic really didn’t allow for him to have very much opportunity to just be a kid,” it states.
With the help of Guelph Wish Fund, Ethan’s family hopes to be able to take its first ever family vacation.
The list goes on, with many stories that can easily be described as “heartbreaking.”
Grimshaw, who along with executive director Jessica Hill are the only two staff members at the organization, said it’s not unusual for her to shed tears during her workday.
“It’s rewarding though,” she said.
“These families handle such a big life change, and a lot of them with such grace and resilience.”
The need for support seems to have grown in recent years.
“We are now at a record-breaking 99 children we support,” said Grimshaw, noting five years ago that number was 37.
“Our youngest on our roster is four months old,” she said.
Families are often referred to the organization by pediatric doctors, or they find the Guelph Wish Fund through word of mouth, she said.
Once accepted into the program, each child is allocated $10,000 with the simple goal being to make that child’s life happier, Grimshaw said.
“Our board has always said that they don’t want to turn away any child for financial reasons,” she said, explaining why donations are key to the organization.
Monetary donations, as well as in-kind support, are welcome all year round, but the ’Tis the Season of Wishes campaign puts a holiday spin on it, Grimshaw said.
“We want to help grant all these wishes before the new year,” she said.
To make a donation, visit guelphwishfund.com.
