About A Special Wish Foundation of Southwest Ohio
A Special Wish Foundation of Southwest Ohio has been bringing moments of joy to local children and families for more than four decades. Through community generosity and dedicated volunteers, wishes become powerful experiences that lift spirits and create lasting memories.
How a Local Wish-Granting Mission Began
Built Around Real Support for Families in Southwest Ohio
In 1982, Ramona Fickle, a former hospice volunteer concerned about the lack of services for children with life-threatening illnesses, founded A Special Wish Foundation in Columbus, Ohio. It was the first wish-granting organization in Ohio and just the third in the nation at the time.
Just a year later, Dayton police officer David Lantz read about a local girl with cancer whose wish to visit Walt Disney World had been granted by the Columbus office. Moved by her story, he reached out to get involved and was given a simple challenge by Fickle herself: "Start a Dayton chapter."
He did just that. Within weeks, the first referral arrived, a 6-year-old boy named Bryan battling leukemia, who also dreamed of going to Walt Disney World. Through community support, including a generous donation from local business owner Bill Elam of Bill's Donut Shop in Centerville, Bryan and his family boarded a plane to Orlando in January 1984. It was the first Special Wish ever granted by the local chapter and the beginning of a mission that has since grown from serving 6 counties in the Dayton region to 20 counties across Southwest Ohio. Today, the Southwest Ohio chapter has granted more than 1,950 wishes for local children and their families.
Our Mission
Creating Joy and Hope for Children Facing Serious Illness
The mission of A Special Wish Foundation of Southwest Ohio is to grant the wish of a child or adolescent (birth through age 20) who has been diagnosed by a physician with a life-threatening illness.
Beyond a single wish, the organization also creates opportunities for families to stay connected through programs like Sparkles of Joy.
Why Families and Supporters Trust A Special Wish
A Local Mission Supported by Community and Accountability
For more than four decades, A Special Wish Foundation of Southwest Ohio has worked closely with families, healthcare professionals, and community supporters to create meaningful wish experiences. Families often want to know they are connecting with a trusted local organization that understands the region and its needs.
More Than 40 Years of Local Wish Granting
Since 1983, the Southwest Ohio chapter has been creating wish experiences for children across the region. Over the years, the organization has granted more than 1,950 wishes as of February 2026. This long-standing presence reflects consistent community support and a deep commitment to families facing serious childhood illnesses.
A Clear Southwest Ohio Service Area
Our chapter serves families across 20 counties in Southwest Ohio, from the Dayton and Miami Valley areas to Greater Cincinnati and beyond. We partner with both Dayton Children's Hospital and Cincinnati Children's Hospital, and any child living within our service area may be eligible for a wish. The full list of counties we serve includes: Mercer, Auglaize, Shelby, Darke, Miami, Champaign, Clark, Preble, Montgomery, Greene, Butler, Warren, Clinton, Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, Highland, Adams, Scioto, and Pike.
Community Partnerships That Strengthen Every Wish
Wishes are made possible through collaboration with local hospitals, healthcare teams, donors, volunteers, and community partners. These relationships help identify eligible children, coordinate wishes, and provide meaningful support throughout the process. The result is a network of people working together to create joyful experiences for children and their families.
Our Commitment to Transparency
A Special Wish Foundation of Southwest Ohio is committed to transparency and accountability in everything we do. We are listed on Candid (formerly GuideStar), an accredited charity with the Better Business Bureau, and a proud recipient of the BBB Eclipse Integrity Award. We are also a United Way partner agency and are proud to be partnered with Dayton Children's Hospital since 1984.
