A wish can be a turning point for a child facing a critical illness. Learn how Make-A-Wish Utah brings those moments to life, from the very first referral to the big day, and how your Window Stroll visit can help.
November 9, 2026
Right now, 303 children across Utah are waiting for a wish to come true. This holiday season, Window Stroll at The Grand America Hotel is helping bring them one step closer.
We are honored to partner with Make-A-Wish Utah for Window Stroll 2026. As families gather in downtown Salt Lake City to enjoy this year’s “Home for the Holidays” windows, every donation made through Window Stroll goes directly to Make-A-Wish Utah, where it is used for one purpose only: granting wishes for Utah kids.
A Utah Story That Began with Snow
Make-A-Wish Utah has been granting wishes since 1985, and one of its most cherished stories begins with snow. Stephanie, a young girl from Florida battling cancer, wished to see snow for the first time. Her trip to Park City, filled with sledding, snowmen, and a horse-drawn sleigh ride, helped inspire Christine Sharer to establish the Utah chapter. Today, Make-A-Wish Utah is based in Murray and has spent more than four decades bringing hope to children and families across the state.
What sets Make-A-Wish Utah apart is simple. Donations do not go toward staff, administration, or marketing. They go to wishes for Utah kids, granted right here at home.
Who Wish Kids Are
Wish kids are children between the ages of 2 and a half and 18 who are living with a critical illness: a progressive, degenerative, or malignant condition that places their life in jeopardy. Less than one third of children with critical illnesses are terminally ill. For most wish kids, a wish becomes a source of strength during treatment.
Nationwide, a child is diagnosed with a critical illness every 20 minutes.
The Journey to a Wish
Granting a wish is personal and thoughtful work. It takes about 10 months on average, but can take up to 2 years.
- Referral: A parent, guardian, medical professional, family member, or the child themselves reaches out.
- Onboarding: The family is welcomed and gets to know the Make-A-Wish Utah team.
- Wish discovery: Kids visit the Wishing Place in Murray to explore what they want most.
- Wish creation: The team designs every detail with the child in mind.
- Wish granted: The big day arrives.
- Alumni and family engagement: The connection continues long after.
Most delays occur between wish creation and wish granting, while families wait for funding to make it happen. Your donation helps shorten that wait.
Five Ways to Wish
Every wish falls into one of five categories: I wish to go, I wish to be, I wish to have, I wish to meet, and I wish to give. Each one is as unique as the child who dreams it.
The Power of a Wish
According to Make-A-Wish surveys:
- 99% of parents reported their child felt increased happiness from the wish experience.
- 95% of parents said the wish strengthened their family .
- 72% of parents saw the wish as a turning point in their child’s response to treatment .
- 95% of health care professionals believe the wish experience can influence a child’s physical health .
The need is real. For every wish granted, there are three more children with critical illnesses whose wishes still need financial support.
Stroll, Give, and Grant a Wish
This season, a visit to Window Stroll is a chance to celebrate one of Salt Lake City’s most beloved holiday traditions while helping a Utah child’s wish come true. Make an evening of it with dinner at Laurel Brasserie and Bar. Every gift brings a Utah child closer to the day their wish comes true.
From our family to yours, thank you for being part of something truly special this year.