About Children's Wish Foundation International
"A Dream is a wish your heart makes." - Cinderella
Children’s Wish Foundation International is a non-profit, wish fulfilling organization founded on the premise that seriously ill children deserve the experience of a lifetime.
FROM OUR FOUNDER
My name is Linda Dozoretz, and I like to think of myself as a Fairy Godmother, here to fulfill the wishes of terminally ill children.
But I can’t fly in and make the magic happen on my own—to make dreams come true, I need help—and that comes in the form of this foundation.
We are Children’s Wish Foundation International. And we measure our success in smiles.
As the Founder and Executive Director of Children’s Wish, I helped pioneer the idea of wish fulfillment for seriously and terminally ill children. After losing my eldest daughter, Susan, to bone cancer, I became an active fundraiser supporting causes that searched for a cure for cancer. For my efforts, I was awarded a trip to Disneyland, which I gave to four-year old Theresa, who was losing her battle with leukemia.
Soon after, wishes for more children followed, and my community showed support by becoming actively involved in these efforts. With a determination to bring happiness to seriously ill children around the world, Children’s Wish Foundation International was fully formed, and I continue to serve as the organization’s President.
Since its inception, Children’s Wish Foundation International has continued to expand our programs to enhance the lives of children with life threatening illnesses. Recognizing our families’ needs outside the scope of wish fulfillment, we stepped up our commitment to these children through the development of additional programs. At this stressful time of their lives, the Family Focus program offers a respite from the treatment schedules, doctors, and the hospitals. And to help brighten each day while in the hospital, toys, games and crafts supplies are given to the children through the Hospital Enrichment program.
Children’s Wish Foundation International is dedicated to bringing joy to children with life-threatening illnesses around the world. We have created memorable experiences for children and families around the world.
"If I could do this for one child, I could do it for many."
Linda Dozoretz
READY TO JOIN OUR MISSION? DREAMS START WITH YOU!
Join our band of Fairy Godmothers now.Our Mission
Children’s Wish Foundation International is a non-profit, wish fulfilling organization founded on the premise that seriously ill children, regardless of race, nationality, religion, or economic status, are not able to experience a normal, carefree childhood.
For these children, Children’s Wish Foundation International provides them with the experience of a lifetime—in the form of a favorite wish.
Children’s Wish Foundation will fulfill a wish for any child having a limited life expectancy with medical science as we know it today. Each wish will be complete while the child is healthy enough to fully enjoy it. The immediate family is included in the wish-fulfillment so that the child and family can share in the experience and create happy memories together.
Children’s Wish Foundation International is committed to making a child’s wish come true and will ensure that every project, event and contribution will be directly connected with our mission.
We focus on unique experiences for each unique child.
"Because every child is special, we will do our best to fulfill this wish uniquely, and when the child is healthy enough to enjoy it."
Our Promise
Children’s Wish Foundation International, Inc, involves people from three groups: Our Wish Children, Our Wish Families, and our Supporters. To each of these, we make a promise:
To our Wish Children: We promise the wish we fulfill for you will be your dream—an experience you desire most in the world, whether it be a toy, a party, a trip, a meeting with a famous person or whatever may be most important to you. Because every child is special, we will do our best to fulfill this wish uniquely, and when the child is healthy enough to enjoy it. We ask nothing in return but that during your wish, you create happy memories that will last forever.
To Our Wish Families: We understand that you wish for your child’s health and happiness. We will fulfill one of these wishes—to give your child happiness that will last for a lifetime. We promise that we will include your entire immediate family in the wish experience, providing memories to cherish forever.
To Our Supporters: We promise that your time, energy, expertise and contributions will be repaid many times over in the joy you bring to our special children. Because you give of yourself, we offer you our sincere thanks for caring.
In 1985 the Children’s Wish Program was founded as a not-for-profit charity and is the longest running wish program in Central Florida. Children’s Wish was created to provide hope and a once in a lifetime experience to children fighting a life-threatening illness. New Hope for Kids Wishes for Kids Program continues the legacy by providing wishes for children that other organizations, in the Central Florida area, are not able to serve.
Wishes for Kids grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses who have not yet reached their 19th birthday nor had a wish previously granted. A life-threatening illness is defined by New Hope for Kids as any illness which will in all likelihood shorten the child’s full life expectancy.
Although the Wishes for Kids Program is not able to cure the life-threatening illnesses of their wish children, it is proud to grant wishes and go beyond the wish – offering support, resources and community for these special families. New Hope for Kids Wishes for Kids Program uses it's resources to lighten the burden for the wish child and their families strives to improve the quality of time remaining in the child’s life.
New Hope for Kids Wish program is unique for the following reasons:
• FOCUS
Unlike other wish-granting organizations, New Hope for Kids Wish Program is not affiliated with a national organization, but is an independent, locally based charity that focuses on Central Florida children. Occasionally a wish is granted out of state, but 90% or more are granted right here. That means the money that is raised by Central Florida community members goes right back into our economy. New Hope for Kids does not receive funds from State or Federal reimbursement and is not a United Way agency.
• FOLLOW-UP
Because most of our wish recipients live in the vicinity, New Hope for Kids is able to provide additional services and support beyond the wish itself. We call ourselves the New Hope Kids Family, because we join together for regular activities to have fun, share resources and provide emotional support. These activities are designed to prevent the isolation and sense of hopelessness that often accompanies grief and illness. Families help each other while forming lasting relationships.
• FLEXIBILITY
New Hope for Kids is able to meet a wide spectrum of needs through wishes and community resources. We follow guidelines, but consider each wish on a case-by-case basis to ensure that the child’s best interests are being met.
When New Hope for Kids grants a wish to a child, it can last a lifetime! We take the wish one step further through attention to special needs, resource information, the New Hope for Kids "family" and nine annual enjoyable events.
For more information or if you know of a child who would benefit from a wish, please contact:
Over 1,600 Wishes Granted!
The memories we have of the trip we took with our son shortly before his death are cherished by our family more than words can say. By granting his wish, you gave us all a gift.
When my daughter received her wish, it was like the cancer had to take a back seat to her joy. What a blessing New Hope for Kids has been to our entire family!
Our Wish Program needs your support! Consider becoming a Wish Partner:
Organizations, corporations and individuals are encouraged to sponsor a wish for a child. Anyone can be a part through fundraising, donations, or hosting a wish. This makes the event more special for the child and family, but also allows everyone involved the opportunity to enjoy making a child’s wish come true!
What I Wish For My Child, I Wish For All Our Children
I wish for you to be a person of character. Strong, but not tough. Gentle, but not weak.
I wish for you to be righteous, but not self-righteous. Honest, but not unforgiving.
Wherever you journey, may your steps be firm and may you walk in just paths and not be afraid.
Whenever you speak, may your words be words of wisdom and friendship.
May your hands build and your heart preserve what is good and beautiful in our world.
May the voices of generations of our people move through you and may the God of our ancestors be your God as well.
May you know that there is a people, a rich heritage, to which you belong and from that sacred place you are connected to all who dwell on the earth.
May the stories of our people be upon your heart and grace of the Torah rhythm and dance in your soul.
-Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
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