A typical year for Make-A-Wish Canada would see around 60 percent of their kids ask for a Disneyland adventure, but what happens when a global pandemic shuts down traveling? Turns out kids do what they do best, get creative.

Last week, seventeen-year-old cancer survivor Jordyn Dvorak was a recipient of one of those creative wishes. 

Jessica Fitzgerald, Wish Coordinator for Make-A-Wish Canada says they are seeing a ton of wishes for the first time. “Jordyn’s photography was definitely an interesting one. We did a wish for a puppy yesterday which was very, very cool. I've got a young boy who wants some ski equipment, which is not something I've granted before and I've had to learn about skiing. People are getting creative, they're getting really creative!”

Fitzgerald continues by saying that the pandemic has been hard on the not-for-profit organization. “It's affecting us quite a bit. I mean our fundraising is down for sure, we've had to cancel a lot of our events obviously due to COVID. I think our revenue was down $8 million across the country last year so it's quite significant.”

“The average cost of a wish in Alberta is $10,000. So, you know, every dollar really does count.”

“We're trying to grant 1000 wishes across the country. It is a pretty big goal but there are 13 chapters so it seems a little more reasonable, when I see the number it is divided into 13.”

Make-A-Wish Southern Alberta is launching a spring raffle at the end of March. You can check out their Facebook Page for more details on how to participate and donate.