Where There’s A Wish There’s A Way: Kylie’s Journey from Wish Kid to Village Fundraiser

Give Kids The World is a place where wishes come true, but it’s also a place where wishes come full circle. Meet Kylie: A wish kid in 2003 to a full-time staff member at the Village today!

Kylie was born with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder that damages the lungs and digestive system. When she was granted her wish at 8-years old, she didn’t fully grasp what that diagnosis meant. For many people with CF, the future is uncertain. But Kylie’s parents encouraged her to do whatever she wanted; to believe she could do anything.

“I remember going to the doctor all the time,” said Kylie. “But my trip to the Village was a break from all of that.”

Her wish gave her a different outlook on life. Looking at all the volunteers and donors who contributed to the Village, she was shown how much you can do for a stranger.

Between 11 and 13 years old, Kylie hosted bingo games to raise money for a local CF organization. She was able to raise $11,000 dollars – and that was just the beginning of her passion for philanthropy. She went on to intern at Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic before joining our team as the Digital and Virtual Fundraising Manager.

If you put together a fundraiser for Give Kids The World, you’ll probably be in touch with Kylie who is here to help you make the most of your efforts. She also oversees our digital fundraising and individual giving which includes individual donations, Facebook fundraisers, Amazon Smile donations and more.

“Seeing so many different kinds of people getting excited to fundraise and give back is so incredible,” says Kylie. “The Village is lucky to have so many people with that excitement.”

On her desk sits a scrapbook filled with photos from her wish trip. It serves as a constant reminder of the importance of the money she helps raise and the hope she inspires.