Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley Celebrates 20 Years of Walk for Wishes in Sleepy Hollow

By Cristiana Caruso

There’s something magical happening in Sleepy Hollow this October, and it’s about more than witches and ghosts. A beloved fall tradition returns October 25, once again bringing the community together.

Next Sunday, Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley will host its 20th annual Walk for Wishes at Kingsland Point Park, bringing families and supporters together for a day of fall festivities with a meaningful mission: helping grant wishes for local children facing critical illnesses.

This year's event marks two major milestones: the 20th anniversary of Walk for Wishes and 40 years of Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley making dreams come true–that marks a whopping 3,600+ wishes granted to date.

Set against the picturesque Hudson River, the Halloween-themed Family Fun Day Festival promises something for everyone. Attendees can enjoy a scenic waterfront walk, live music, food trucks, interactive photo opportunities, face painting, crafts, and games. A glass pumpkin patch and costume contests—including one for four-legged friends—will add to the seasonal excitement.

But beyond the festivities lies a powerful purpose. Walk for Wishes raises critical funds to help Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley create unforgettable experiences for children and families navigating serious illnesses, offering moments of hope, strength, and joy when they need them most.

To truly understand the impact of Make-A-Wish, we chatted with Wish Kid and Ossining native Maximus, who is serving as the walk’s Grand Marshal this year.

Q & A with this year’s Walk for Wishes Grand Marshal, Maximus and his family

What does being named Grand Marshal of this year’s Walk for Wishes mean to you?

For Max to be named Grand Marshal is an honor for us. His journey with the Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley didn’t stop with just his wish being granted. Even still, years after Max’s wish our relationship with the Make-A-Wish community only continues to grow, not only with the organization itself but with the families of other Wish kids. It feels good having Max recognized as a symbol of hope and what a community can achieve when we all work together for a special cause.

How did you first become involved with Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley?

We were initially referred to Make-A-Wish by the social worker assigned to Max’s case at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Before Max’s wish to meet Elmo on the set of Sesame Street was granted, the team took the time to get to know Max through phone calls and house visits. They were so caring and thoughtful, even leaving a spooky basket of treats at our door for Halloween once. It really helped made Max feel so special.

What do you think people sometimes misunderstand about the impact of granting a wish?

As parents of a Wish Kid, we think people sometimes see a wish as simply a wonderful experience or something that makes a child happy for a day, but when your family is navigating the uncertainty and challenges that come with a critical illness, hope means everything. A wish gives your child something to dream about, something exciting to anticipate, and a chance for your family to step away from the difficult parts of your reality, even if just for a little while. It creates memories that you hold onto forever. I think people underestimate how much that hope and joy can mean to a family going through something so difficult. A wish doesn’t change the medical challenges a child faces, but it can change how a child and their family experience that journey. And that is an incredibly powerful gift.

When people leave the Walk this year, what do you hope stays with them?

What we hope they leave with is a sense of community. That families who are experiencing challenging times medically are not alone. There is a whole network of support and even individuals who are not Wish families themselves can be a part of this impactful community after seeing firsthand what the Walk for Wishes aims to achieve.

As Grand Marshal, what are you most looking forward to on the day of the Walk?

Honestly, we’re most looking forward to seeing Max shine. As his parents, getting to watch him be celebrated in this way is something we’ll cherish forever. So much of the journey for families like ours involves navigating the difficult moments, so to have a day dedicated to joy, hope, and celebrating these incredible kids is truly special. We’re looking forward to seeing the excitement on Max’s face, making memories as a family, and celebrating everything that Make-A-Wish represents.

Can you remember a moment with Make-A-Wish that has stayed with you?

We wouldn’t say a specific moment, but the ongoing connection that only continues to grow with Make-A-Wish. They are always thinking of Max, whether it’s an invite to a New York Rangers or New York Liberty game with other Wish families, or just members of the team commenting with love and support on silly reels that Max may do on Instagram sometimes. They’ve become sort of like an extended family.

Is there a moment during Walk for Wishes when the magnitude of what this community is doing really hits you?

Last year, we had the opportunity to be part of another Wish Kid’s Wish reveal. Make-A-Wish got the entire crowd involved in revealing a teen girl’s wish to go to Greece, and it was such a special moment to witness. Seeing everyone come together to celebrate her dream brought tears to our eyes. In that moment, it really hit us that this is so much bigger than any one family. Every person who shows up, every dollar raised, and every act of kindness helps create these life-changing moments for children and their families. To be surrounded by so many people who want to give these kids something to look forward to, something to believe in, and a reason to dream during such difficult times is incredibly moving. It reminds us that while we may not all be able to change what these families are going through, together we can make a lasting difference in how they experience that journey.

Anything else you'd like to mention?

We think the biggest thing we’d want people to take away from our story is that you don’t have to know a Wish Kid personally to make a difference in their life. Every person who participates in the Walk for Wishes, makes a donation, or helps spread the word becomes part of something bigger than themselves. As Max’s parents, we know firsthand how meaningful the support of this community can be, and we hope that by sharing our story, we can inspire more people to get involved. You never know whose life you might touch simply by showing up. These kids deserve to dream big, to experience joy, and to have moments that remind them that the world is full of good people who care. If our family’s journey can encourage even one more person to support Make-A-Wish, then sharing our story is worth it. This year, Max gets to lead the way, and I hope that as people follow him along that walk, they understand that they're walking for so much more than a wish. They're walking for hope, for joy, and for the chance for more children to experience something truly extraordinary.

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