Niwot High School partners with Make-A-Wish Colorado for Wish Week

Niwot High School is holding its Fourth Annual Wish Week from Feb. 3 through Feb. 8. NHS has partnered with Make A Wish Colorado to help bring the week to life for one of its amazing Wish Kids. Donations can be made at Niwot Wish Week 2025 Donations or visit https://wish.org/colorado.

Schools across the U.S. host Wish Weeks in which students and community members are invited to unite around a child with a critical illness and raise funds for the Make-A-Wish organization.

The nonprofit strives to grant the life-changing wishes of children with serious medical conditions. Children eligible to be Wish Kids are those ages two-and-a-half to 18 who are fighting any life-threatening illness. Since its founding in 1983, Make-A-Wish Colorado has granted over 6,000 wishes.

NHS junior Lila Repsher said, “Even kids who have gone through the whole wish process are still so incredibly dedicated to helping the organization, and I think that really shows how impactful these wishes are to kids.” Repsher is a member of the Make-A-Wish Colorado Youth Leadership Council.

Make-A-Wish Colorado has found a local family with a seven-year-old son named Vinny, who has a respiratory disorder, to be Niwot High School’s Wish Kid. Vinny loves many things including the color purple, Disney songs and movies, and coloring. His wish is to go to Disneyland.

Vinny will act as a wish ambassador to NHS, representing countless children like himself who have made wishes or will do so. “I love to see the students all working together and realizing that some children walk journeys that are incredibly challenging and even scary,” Niwot Student Council Advisor Leah Messinger stated. “It’s so important to give back.”

Throughout the week, Niwot students and community members are invited to events in which they get the chance to support the goal of raising $15,000 for the Make-A-Wish organization. The average cost of one wish is $7,500, so NHS hopes to grant two or more wishes.

Niwot staff and students enjoy in-school activities throughout Wish Week. Spirit days are a staple at NHS. Class Colors Day took place on Monday, Feb. 3, which encouraged students to wear the color specific to their grade level. Tuesday was “Monsters University” themed and invited students to wear college or university and school merchandise. Wednesday, Feb. 5, is Crayon Day, inviting monochromatic outfits.

One way to support the cause is to attend local restaurant fundraisers. On Wednesday, there will be a fundraiser with Qdoba on Clover Basin Drive in Longmont. All you have to do is make a purchase between 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., mention Niwot High School, and a part of the proceeds will be donated to Make-A-Wish.

Merchandise in every form will be the spotlight of “Merch Madness” on Thursday, Feb. 6. From musicians to movies, all school-appropriate merchandise is encouraged. NHS will be partnering with Oskar Blues on South Hover Street from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., so be sure to grab lunch, a midday snack, or dinner.

Friday, Feb 7. Is “Space Jam” Day, which will encourage sports jerseys of any kind. Local Niwot business Love Ice Cream will be open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7. Anyone is invited to stop by and enjoy a fresh scoop of ice cream after basketball games and Wish Week festivities at Niwot. A portion of purchases made at that time will be donated to Make-A-Wish Colorado.

Winot Coffee and Abo's Pizza have each donated $50 gift cards to be included in a raffle being announced at the halftime of the boys basketball game. The first person drawn gets the first choice of prize.

The raffle will also include a pair of tickets to the Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz basketball game on March 28, an Owala water bottle, an Apple Pencil, and a pair of free prom tickets for a junior or senior whose names are drawn.

Repsher said, “I think that everyone should donate, even if it’s just a dollar or two, because of the impact that this organization has on kids across the state.”

Niwot is committed to raising every penny possible in support of Make-A-Wish Colorado. All proceeds from the week go directly towards fundraising. Local community members are encouraged to donate and attend public events.

NHS has shared the following link with students and the community for donations -

Niwot Wish Week 2025 Donations or visit https://wish.org/colorado.