TPG and Make-A-Wish: Using the power of travel to make kids' wishes come true
Here at TPG, we believe travel has the power to change the world. Since 2017, we have raised and donated more than $5,000,000 and 70,000,000 points and miles to charitable organizations, including one that is changing the world one family at a time by granting life-changing wishes to deserving kids.
Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has made more than 500,000 wishes come true for kids diagnosed with critical illnesses and their families. About 80% of those wishes involve travel. In fact, Make-A-Wish needs more than 2.8 billion miles — the equivalent of 50,000 round-trip tickets — to cover the travel wishes made each year.
TPG has partnered with Make-A-Wish since 2017 to raise awareness, funds and the airline miles necessary to give kids facing critical illnesses a chance to just be kids.
In honor of World Wish Day, held annually April 29, here's a look back at the work Make-A-Wish does for families, TPG's partnership with Make-A-Wish and how you can support this important cause.
Throughout the years, TPG has supported Make-A-Wish through donation drives, campaigns and live events. In 2018, TPG partnered with Make-A-Wish through a Prizeo campaign where donors could win travel-related prizes by donating to the organization.
Make-A-Wish has also been a fixture at the TPG Awards. In 2022, TPG donated $1 to Make-A-Wish for every vote cast, leading to a $25,000 donation and the opportunity for TPG's audience to support the organization. At the 2023 TPG Awards, we recognized Make-A-Wish onstage, highlighting the organization's transformative impact on children and their families and presenting a $20,000 donation.
Also in 2023, TPG partnered with Make-A-Wish and American Airlines to bring 26 Make-A-Wish families to Walt Disney World on the "Best Flight Ever." The Best Flight Ever started at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) with a party at the gate and a red carpet entrance to the jet bridge, with TPG's founder, Brian Kelly, serving as the flight's "chief fun attendant." Once on board, there were snacks, burgers, sing-a-longs and even a water cannon salute when the plane landed at Orlando International Airport (MCO).
For these families, the Best Flight Ever kicked off a week of magic at Give Kids the World Village — a storybook-themed resort near Orlando for children with critical illnesses and their families — and Orlando's theme parks completely free of charge.
Make-A-Wish can only provide travel wishes such as this because of your generous donations. You can get involved in several ways:
- Donate hotel points: This option is available for Best Western Rewards and Hilton Honors points.
- Donate airline miles: This option is available for United MileagePlus miles, JetBlue TrueBlue points, American Airlines AAdvantage miles, Delta SkyMiles and Southwest Rapid Rewards points.
- Make a monetary donation: One-time and monthly donation options are available.
- Donate Chase Ultimate Rewards points using the Pay Yourself Back feature: As part of a new partnership between Chase and Make-A-Wish, you can donate to Make-A-Wish then redeem Ultimate Rewards for the value of the donation by using the Pay Yourself Back feature through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
Whether it's sending a child to Hawaii, Paris or Walt Disney World, your donations can give kids the hope and encouragement they need to overcome life's toughest challenges. And it isn't only children dealing with critical illnesses who benefit from having their wishes granted. The experience allows their family to have fun and bond while making lifelong memories.
The Points Guy's partnership with Make-A-Wish is a perfect example of how travel can change the world. Together, we can create hope, joy and lots of smiles for children facing critical illnesses.
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