Make-A-Wish pulls off 70+ car “birthday parade”

On Sunday, April 5, 3-year-old Audrey from San Diego had a birthday party that her and her family will never forget. Audrey is a Make-A-Wish kid whose wish “to see fireworks at Disney World” along with her 3^rd birthday party had to be postponed out of concern for her health and safety. To cheer her up, the Make-A-Wish community joined Audrey’s friends and family to celebrate her birthday with an epic “car parade” themed with her favorite things.

More than 70 cars passed by Audrey’s house with painted windows, birthday signs, and passengers wearing festive attire. The San Diego Padres Friar mascot was the official caboose of the parade. Audrey and her family smiled and waved excitedly at parade participants from the safety of their home.

• B-roll videos from Audrey’s incredible birthday parade 
• Interview clips of Audrey expressing excitement for her wish
• Interview clips of Audrey’s dad, Shane, talking about Audrey and his hopes for her birthday parade

Audrey’s parade ties into the new “Messages of Hope” campaign that Make-A-Wish created to continue to bring hope and joy to wish kids who are waiting for their wishes. The campaign comes at a critical time when 2,412 Make-A-Wish kids across the country have had their wishes delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign asks the public to write, record or photograph messages of encouragement for wish kids. While Audrey’s messages were personally delivered, the public can share their messages for all wish kids to see by posting on social media with #WishesAreWaiting and Make-A-Wish tagged.