BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. — Wishes do come true, especially for two critically ill teens in Naples. Yesterday.
Elizabeth Garcia and Eric Martinez were pleasantly surprised after Make - A - Wish Southern Florida granted their wishes, with a little creative touch.
"I was so grateful that they took the time out of their day to come here, just to give me gifts," said Elizabeth Garcia, a Wish Kid.COVID- 19 has limited in-person visits for the foundation, but after an online shopping spree, members of the community came out to deliver the gifts in a drive-by parade.
Eric Martinez says he was shocked. "It was really special, you know, all I had to do was come out of my house, and everything was there," said Eric Martinez, a Wish Kid.
Standing by their mission of creating life-changing wishes for critically ill children, Daniela Malo, Associate Director of Philanthropy for Make - A - Wish Southern Florida, tells us that they are keeping the hope alive despite challenges.
"Lots of our wishes that we are granting are travel trailers, and shopping sprees and different types of things that are more tangible versus experiences just for the safety of our children, but we're making more stops at the children's homes," said Daniela Malo.
However, after placing wish granting on hold back in April, Malo says their biggest challenge is keeping the community and wish kids engaged. "There is so much the community can do for our kids, coming out to these rallies showing support, sending them cards, keeping them hopeful," said Malo.
Malo says the community can make a wish come true in more ways than one. "Reach out, you know, we have volunteer opportunities when we do deliver these wishes or sending birthday cards to wish kids.
Once COVID life ends and things go back to normal, we have over 600 kids waiting for their wishes to come true, so we still need those funds, and we still need that community support," said Malo.
For more information on how to volunteer or donate, head to their website.
