Make-A-Wish Idaho brings back North Idaho Walk for Wishes in Coeur d'Alene
Fourteen North Idaho children were waiting for wishes as Make-A-Wish Idaho returned to Riverstone Park, with $57,801.78 already raised toward its $70,000 goal.
A flower garden, a playhouse and trips to Hawaii and Disney World were among the wishes Make-A-Wish Idaho was trying to fund as it brought back its North Idaho Walk for Wishes at Riverstone Park in Coeur d’Alene.
Day-of check-in began at 9:30 a.m., with opening ceremonies set for 10:30 a.m. No entry fee was required, but participants were encouraged to raise at least $100 to earn an official event T-shirt, keeping the fundraiser open to families, volunteers and first-time walkers alike. The event also included a photo booth, raffles, live music from Tanya Low, a kids zone, and food and beverages from Bully Dogs and JC Coffee Co.
The chapter’s walk page showed $57,801.78 raised toward a $70,000 goal, putting the fundraiser within reach of funding nine wishes. Make-A-Wish Idaho said 14 North Idaho children were waiting for wishes, a number that makes the donation math clear: with the average wish costing about $10,000, every additional sponsor, walker and raffle ticket moved the chapter closer to turning a local child’s request into a trip, experience or personal dream.
Janie Best, the nonprofit’s president and CEO, has described the North Idaho walk as the organization’s fastest-growing event in Idaho, and last year’s turnout backed that up. More than 500 walkers joined the 2025 event, building on the inaugural North Idaho Walk for Wishes in 2024, which drew more than 200 residents and raised more than $62,000. The 2025 walk had 13 North Idaho wish kids waiting for wishes and targeted $67,000.
Make-A-Wish Idaho said it has granted more than 1,800 wishes since 1986 and marked 40 years of granting wishes in Idaho in 2026. The chapter operates offices in Boise, Post Falls and Pocatello, including its Post Falls location at 362 N. Herborn Place, opened in August 2023. It receives no federal or state funding and relies on corporate sponsorships, special events, foundation grants and individual contributions. Its 2025 audit showed 76.6% of every dollar went to wish granting and related program expenses, and the chapter said wishes had grown close to 30% over the last three years as demand continued to climb.
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