make-a-wish
A Holiday Tradition of WIshes
Meet Anika. During leukemia treatment, Anika, 11, found comfort in therapy dogs. Her wish for a golden retriever came true with Rudder, and she hopes he can one day bring that same comfort to others. Anika’s story inspired Anika’s Chocolate Parfait, one of our 2026 limited time Save Room for a Wish desserts.
Since 2008, Black Bear Diner guests and teams have helped raise more than $2.5 million for Make-A-Wish®, helping grant life-changing wishes for children facing critical illnesses. What began as a local fundraiser has grown into Save Room For A Wish®, a holiday tradition that supports Make-A-Wish® chapters in the communities we serve.
2026 Save Room For A Wish® Fundraiser
Meet Anika & Rudder
I wish to have a Golden Retriever puppy
Anika, 11
Leukemia
Meet Anika. During leukemia treatment, Anika, 11, found comfort in therapy dogs. Her wish for a golden retriever came true with Rudder, and she hopes he can one day bring that same comfort to others. Anika’s story inspired Anika’s Chocolate Parfait, one of our 2026 limited time Save Room for a Wish desserts.
2025 Save Room For A Wish® Fundraiser
I wish to meet capybaras
Joshua, 9
cancer
Meet Joshua, a 9-year-old wish kid who loves capybaras (the world’s largest living rodent) because they get along with all animals. His love of chocolate inspired Joshua’s Chocolate Wish, one of our 2025 limited time only Save Room For A Wish desserts.
2024 Save Room For A Wish® Fundraiser
I wish to swim with
dolphins in Hawaii
Amy, 13
stem cell transplant
Meet Amy a 13-year-old wish kid who is a bright and creative child. She loves to draw and animate her own artwork. Amy’s love of strawberries inspired our limited time only dessert and breakfast.
2023 Save Room For A Wish® Fundraiser
I wish to have a home gym
Avi, 15
cancer
Meet Avi a 15-year-old wish kid who loves fishing, mountain climbing, snow skiing, and especially long-distance running.
He is a fierce and goal-driven competitor—as well as a resilient
fighter, battling a rare cancer.
Avi’s love of chocolate inspired our 2023 limited time only dessert, Avi’s Avalanche.
2022 Save Room For A Wish® Fundraiser
I wish to have a
Dachshund puppy
Ronan, 7
leukemia
Meet Ronan, a 7-year-old wish kid, who loves unicorns and cupcakes, which inspired the cherry and almond flavors and lots of rainbow sprinkles for our 2022 limited time only Sweet Cream Unicorn Cupcake.
