35 Columbus Make-A-Wish families see wishes postponed due to coronavirus. How you can help

As Make-A-Wish families see their wish trips postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Georgia chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation is hoping to help Columbus families with a new initiative.

Launched just as the coronavirus began making its way across the United States, Make-A-Wish’s “Messages of Hope” initiative is about sending positive messages to Make-A-Wish kids that had their wishes postponed.

101 families have been impacted in Georgia due to the outbreak, Make-A-Wish Georgia’s CEO Tim Earley told the Ledger-Enquirer Thursday. 35 of those families are in Columbus.

According to Earley, three wishes in the area have already been postponed. The kids were supposed to go to Disney World, but due to CDC guidelines and the closure of the park, they were unable to go.

“35 is a high number, much higher than we would like,” Earley said. “We would love to get some specific messages to families in that area.”

The objective is simple: Messages can be sent to kids in Georgia by uploading a video on Make-A-Wish’s website, or by posting them on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook with the hashtag #WishesAreWaiting and by tagging @makeawishga.

There’s no deadline on sending in the messages, according to Earley. The organization does want as many messages as they can get.

Dozens of celebrities, including the Jonas Brothers and Ryan Reynolds, have already recorded messages but the foundation is still looking for more, especially in the Columbus area.

“We want messages ASAP,” Earley said. “The more messages we get, the more powerful they will be.”

Make-A-Wish is a non-profit organization that grants wishes for young children and teens with a critical illness. Over the years they have helped children meet celebrities, participate in special events and more.