CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Southern Utah’s real estate and tech industries are coming together this year to grant life-changing wishes for local children battling critical illnesses as part of Make-A-Wish Utah’s annual Drive for Wishes campaign.

Tech for Wishes, a fundraising campaign organized by leaders in the local tech industry in 2020, has helped grant several children’s wishes over the past few years, raising over $60,000 last year. Each year, Zonos, Intergalactic, RAM, Vasion, busybusy and Dixie Tech team up to sponsor wishes and help make local children’s dreams come true.

Last year, Red Rock Real Estate partnered with Make-A-Wish Utah and raised $66,000 to grant 11 wishes for local children. Red Rock Real Estate CEO Adam Legg and Macrae Heppler with Eagle Gate Title have joined forces this year to launch the Real Estate for Wishes campaign. Real Estate for Wishes aims to raise $100,000 during the month of April to help grant 14 local children’s wishes. Legg and Heppler invite the entire real estate industry, including brokerages, agents, title companies, lenders, builders, property management companies, etc., to unite to grant wishes for local children. 

“April is World Wish Month and also the time of year that Make-A-Wish Utah organizes Drive for Wishes. This is an initiative that brings wish experiences to communities throughout Utah while generating excitement about transforming children’s lives through the power of a wish,” said Make-A-Wish Utah CEO, Daniel Dudley. “There are currently 23 Southern Utah children who are waiting for their wish to be granted.” 

Real Estate for Wishes and Tech for Wishes are collaborating to grant as many wishes as possible for local children. Along with a goal to raise more than $150,000 for Make-A-Wish Utah, they hope to unite the community in bringing hope to kids who need it most. Businesses in both industries and individuals throughout Southern Utah are invited to support the cause and help make miracles happen. 

“We definitely have a soft spot for these kids,” Red Rock Real Estate CEO Adam Legg said. “When we learned there was a growing need in Southern Utah, we felt it was a perfect match with our culture at Red Rock to jump in and support these families who are going through challenging times. As Red Rock has grown, I’m most proud of our ability to do things like this. These are the things that matter in life; these are the important things.” 

All donations from Real Estate for Wishes and Tech for Wishes will help Make-A-Wish Utah bring joy to local kids like Spencer, a 7-year-old boy who was diagnosed with a life-threatening respiratory condition as a newborn. Because of his compromised immune system, Spencer was sick for most of the first two years of his life and needed antibiotics often. His daily routine still includes a plethora of medications and treatments, various moments of fatigue and lots of salty snacks; however, he’s a happy and outgoing kid who loves playing sports and will chat up a storm with anyone he meets. 

Spencer’s wish is to take a cruise to Puerto Rico. As an avid fan of “American Ninja Warrior” and the Ninja Kidz on YouTube, who film some of their videos in Puerto Rico, Spencer thought that “it looked awesome” and the idea of visiting while on a cruise excited him. He wants to eat whenever he’s hungry, socialize with lots of people and experience new places. 

The community is invited to participate in this year’s Drive for Wishes launch event on Friday, April 5, at noon on the Dixie Tech mezzanine. There will be opportunities to hear from Spencer and learn more about ways to get involved in granting local children’s wishes. 

Make-A-Wish Utah’s presence in Southern Utah has grown exponentially in recent years with the support of local business leaders. Campaigns like Tech for Wishes and Real Estate for Wishes highlight a community passionate about helping kids and families through the magic of a wish.

Cameron Chatwin, Make-A-Wish Utah Corporate Development Manager, said that “89% of health care providers believe a wish positively influences a child’s physical health. 23 kids in Southern Utah and more than 250 statewide are waiting for their wishes to be granted right now.” 

The organization’s fundraising goal for the greater St. George area in 2024 is over $200,000 total.  

“Once I found out that Make-A-Wish was local and that wishes were actually granted frequently in our state and town, I knew I wanted to be involved in some way,” Macrae Heppler with Eagle Gate Title said. “It has turned into much more, and we even got to grant a wish with a professional athlete at our office. It was an awesome experience, and I look forward to many more.” 

Real Estate for Wishes offers various sponsorship levels for participating companies and individuals. $1,000 helps make a wish come true, $7,000 grants an entire wish and $14,000 grants two wishes with the opportunity to host a wish proclamation event for a wish child. Members of the community can also donate any amount to the Real Estate for Wishes campaign on the Make-A-Wish Utah website.  

“Every little bit helps and is worth it in giving these kids a bit of hope and joy,” Real Estate for Wishes council member Ryan Coates said. “Before I moved to St. George, I took a group of high school students to tour the Make-A-Wish headquarters. I was super impressed with their operation and the impact that they were making in the lives of these children. When I moved here, I was invited to attend a wish granting event and was reminded of the impact that Make-A-Wish has on families’ lives. I wanted to be involved however I possibly could be.”

Join Real Estate for Wishes and Tech for Wishes to be inspired by local wish kids and make a lasting impact in the community. Contact Adam Legg with Red Rock Real Estate at [email protected], Macrae Heppler with Eagle Gate Title at [email protected] or Cameron Chatwin with Make-A-Wish Utah at [email protected] to learn more and get involved today.

Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.

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Resources

• Red Rock Real Estate | Address: 90 E. 100 South, St. George | Telephone: 435-275-2775 | Website.

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