A 501(c)(3) nonprofit · Delaware
Every kid deserves the magic of childhood.
We grant birthday and holiday wishes for children and teens in Delaware foster care — the bikes, books, instruments and everyday basics that no one else was going to buy.
The concept is simple: kids submit their wish list to the State, and we foster these wishes.
Why this exists
Many kids arrive with a garbage bag of possessions.
Many abused and neglected children are separated from their families, friends and belongings — often moved to unfamiliar homes with little more than a garbage bag of possessions.
Foster families aren’t required to purchase anything beyond food. Each child is afforded $150 annually by the State for “extras” — but “extras” for one kid might be Girl Scout fees, while for another it’s new socks, underwear and sneakers.
So the things kids actually put on their wish lists — a bike, a guitar, a game — went unbought. That’s the gap we fill.
How it works
From a wish list to a doorstep
- 01
A kid writes down a wish
Children and teens in Delaware foster care submit a wish list to the State — a bike, a guitar, art supplies, a pair of sneakers that fit.
- 02
The State sends it to us
We work with the Division of Family Services and the Delaware Office of the Child Advocate to receive wishes that would otherwise go unfilled.
- 03
We foster the wish
Volunteers shop, assemble and deliver — bikes with helmets, locks and lights included, because a bike wish is never just a bike.
What we provide
Support for kids in care — and those aging out at 18
From birthdays to holidays, we make their special days brighter. And when a teen leaves care, we help them set up a first independent home.
The Little Free Store — open year-round for everyday needs.
- Comfort items
- Hygiene products
- Clothing
- Sports equipment
- Books & board games
- Field trips
- Hobby supplies
- Prom experiences
- Suitcases
- First-home goods
2024 in numbers
A year of transformation
- Holiday wishes granted
- 574
- Wishes granted in 2024
- 900+
- In new merchandise & gift cards
- $38,000
- Years as a nonprofit
- 5
Christmas 2024 — nearly double the year before
Birthdays and holidays, all year long
Distributed to Delaware foster kids
Founded in 2019, all volunteer
In their words, in our photos
Five years of wishes, one delivery at a time
Every photo here is a real delivery, a real drive, or a real volunteer day in Delaware.
The very first delivery — bikes headed out for assembly, 2021 Bikes, helmets and trikes staged before a delivery run 
A first ride on a bike of her own 
A bike wish, matched with the helmet that has to come with it 
Two foster brothers, newly moved, with their bike wishes granted Holiday wishes sorted and ready to wrap The Little Free Store in its early days 
Filling shelves with household goods for kids aging out of care 
Grooming kits assembled for foster teens 
Dorm wishes granted for students heading to college 
A Girl Scouts greeting card and book drive 
A stuffed animal collection at PetSmart Dover 
Donated carryall bags — so no child packs into a garbage bag 
A Nintendo Switch donation accepted on behalf of CASA 
Birthday wishes on their way out the door 
Volunteers at Lunch With a Purpose 
The prize table at Lunch With a Purpose 
Live music for guests at Lunch With a Purpose 
A CenDel Foundation grant, presented alongside two bikes 
With coordinators from the Delaware Office of the Child Advocate 
The Fostering Wishes flag, flown with a Girl Scouts wish card 
A young supporter in a Fostering Wishes tee 
A signed New York Jets jersey donated for a fundraiser 
Spring 2022 — a delivery day outside
We couldn’t do this without you
Thanks to our sponsors, partners, donors, supporters and volunteers — including $5,000 in community grants from Walmart and Sam’s Club stores.
One wish is one kid who knows someone showed up.
Every dollar and every donated item goes to a child in Delaware foster care. We are all volunteers — nothing gets skimmed off the top.