The Fairytale Foundation celebrated a significant milestone on December 27, 2023, with its 10th Anniversary Gala at the Cleveland Yachting Club in Rocky River, Ohio. This event marked a decade of dedicated, volunteer-driven service aimed at bringing joy and comfort to children facing serious illness and hardship across Northeast Ohio.
Guests included volunteers, families, donors, and community supporters, all gathering to reflect on the foundation’s growth since its establishment in 2015 by Stephanie Jordan, a graduate of Bay High School. The organization specializes in providing free “Wish Visits,” which involve costumed fairy tale characters visiting children in hospitals, homes, and community settings.
“What started as a couple of TV trays in my bedroom has turned into something I could have never imagined,” Jordan shared during the event. “There were so many moments where I didn’t know if Fairytale would make it through, so celebrating 10 years felt really significant.”
Gala Celebrates Community and Growth
The gala featured a formal, fairy tale-themed evening with dinner, dancing, and a silent auction. Guests participated in bidding on gift baskets, themed experiences, and locally donated items, with all proceeds benefiting the foundation’s ongoing programming. The turnout included many attendees who embraced the spirit of the organization by dressing in gowns and festive attire inspired by classic fairy tale stories.
“This wasn’t meant to be fancy for the sake of being fancy,” Jordan explained. “I wanted it to feel special, because it is special, not just for me, but for all the volunteers and families who’ve been part of this.”
Founded when Jordan was still a junior in high school, the Fairytale Foundation has evolved into a fully volunteer-run nonprofit, boasting about 60 active volunteers aged between 14 and 22. These young individuals not only contribute to the foundation’s mission but also often take on leadership roles as they grow.
Impactful Visits and Community Contributions
The foundation’s core mission focuses on providing “Wish Visits” to children facing challenging circumstances, with Jordan noting, “There is nothing more rewarding than those visits. Even though they can be emotionally demanding, they’re the reason we started this in the first place.” In addition to these visits, the organization organizes birthday parties, private celebrations, and public appearances throughout Northeast Ohio, with proceeds from these events directed toward local children’s charities and families in need.
Jordan highlighted the importance of recognizing the volunteers who make the organization possible, many of whom initially joined as teenagers and have since evolved into leaders. “I’ve watched kids who were incredibly shy come in and completely grow into themselves,” she remarked. “Some of the volunteers I met our very first year went on to become leaders within Fairytale and then head off to college.”
As the foundation embarks on its second decade, Jordan expressed a commitment to expanding its wish program while continuing to provide a creative and supportive environment for young volunteers. “I’m constantly rediscovering how many lives Fairytale has touched,” she said. “Ten years in, that still amazes me.”
The Fairytale Foundation’s anniversary gala not only celebrated its past but also set the tone for future endeavors, ensuring that the joy and comfort it brings to children in distress will continue to flourish for years to come.
