TAMPA BAY, Fl. (May 2023): Nolan had postcard-perfect dreams of spending time with his feet in the sand on a beautiful beach. Kids Wish Network transformed his visions of paradise into his tropical reality, flying his family to Florida for a getaway filled with beach vibes. It was also Nolan’s first time flying, and he loved being in the clouds, seeing the bird’s eye view of the sights below, and especially getting to meet the pilot and seeing the cockpit. It was a magical beginning to his great wish. He was also warmly welcomed by the New Hotel Collection Harbourside Resort, who provided their family with beautiful accommodations. They even surprised Nolan with a large bucket of beach toys and a LEGO set. He couldn’t wait to hit the beach, and it felt amazing when he did. He played in the pristine white sand amid swaying palm trees with the sights and sounds of the ocean waves. These carefree moments felt so far away from the stresses back home.

There were so many standout moments. They enjoyed a VIP experience at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, getting a behind-the-scenes look at the marine animal rescue center. He also loved feeding the dolphins and fish. One of Nolan’s favorite adventures was going aboard the Royal Conquest PirateShip and taking to the waters for pirate stories, water gun battles, and treasure hunts. They also had a fun afternoon at Glazer’s Children’s Museum, exploring all the interactive and educational hands-on experiences. All of these experiences were courtesy of the attractions. His family also enjoyed upscale waterfront dining at the Salt Rock Grill, and picturesque beachfront dinner at Caddy’s Madeira Beach. Caddy’s additionally gifted Nolan a cooler and a big gift basket filled with sunscreen, beach toys, a t-shirt, a hat, and other goodies. They also had delicious pizzas at Slyce Indian Rocks Beach. Meals were courtesy of the restaurants.

It was a trip his family will always remember. Nolan’s wish filled him with sunshine, bringing back the happiest memories as forever souvenirs. Nolan has mucolipidosis III, a rare and progressive metabolic disorder that affects his brain, spinal cord, and neurological functions. He also struggles with additional health complications.

Many Thanks

Kids Wish Network could not have provided this wish to Nolan without the help of New Hotel Collection Harbourside Resort (Indian Rocks Beach), Clearwater Marine Aquarium(Clearwater), Glazer Children’s Museum (Tampa), Royal Conquest Pirate Ship(Madeira Beach), Salt Rock Grill(Indian Shores), Caddy’s MadeiraBeach, Slyce Pizza Bar Indian Rocks Beach, and the many supporters who believe in making wishes come true for kids who need hope. Visit www.kidswishnetwork.org to learn about our different programs.

Kids Wish Network has been making dreams come true for children since 1997. We are dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children experiencing life-altering situations. We started with the single purpose of granting wishes to children suffering from life-threatening conditions but have since created additional programs to benefit kids nationwide, including Hero of the Month, Project Toy Drop, Holiday of Hope Gift Banks, and A Child Forever Funeral Assistance.