New Hope for Kids bids farewell to Rosie Wilder

It is never easy to say goodbye to a meaningful career that has spanned two decades, and touched the hearts and lives of thousands of children and families in need. So when Rosie Wilder, wish director at Maitland’s New Hope for Kids, retired this past December, it was less of a goodbye and more of a “hello” to new opportunities that await the grandmother of five.

Wilder’s recent January Retirement Open House at New Hope’s new building on Mayo Avenue brought a crowd of appreciative Wish Families, some dating back more than a decade. Wilder’s smiling eyes and cherubic face have been a New Hope mainstay since 1996 at the non-profit that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses and also gives support to children and families grieving the death of a loved one. Family after family remarked that Wilder’s warm and reassuring presence will be dearly missed. The longtime Oviedo resident shared that she plans on keeping in touch with scores of families she has served over the years, keeping tabs on them through Facebook, where she posts frequently.

Recently, Wilder reflected back on the past 20 years, and on the inspirations that changed her own life along the way. The mental health counselor vividly recalls her first day in the office. Wilder shared, “I was first hired as the volunteer manager, and from my very first day I wanted to learn how I could best fit in with the mission, and make life better for families facing some of the toughest challenges you can imagine. I was thrilled to be part of an organization with true compassion for the children and the families it serves. In 1999, I was given the opportunity to become wish director of New Hope’s Wishes for Kids program.”

Since then, Wilder has been a real life fairy godmother, granting wishes for kids with life-altering illnesses. Rosie spent her days meeting with sick kids, offering support to their families, managing a dedicated troop of volunteers, and granting a special wish to improve the quality of life for the ailing child.

Wilder holds a special place in her heart for each of the 800 families she has served, and their stories motivated her to grant wishes for every child in need, with the support of Central Florida’s oldest wish organization. Wilder recalls one of the very first wishes she granted for a little boy named Drew in Lake County. The then 5-year-old suffered from what is more commonly known as brittle bone syndrome, and loved movies. Because leaving home was difficult, New Hope supplied him with a library of home movies, which were then available for the VCR. Wilder recalls that during a home visit with the family she noticed that Drew’s parents were having issues with transporting the child along with his cumbersome medical equipment. With the organization’s help, she arranged for him to receive a special double stroller, where Drew could recline on one side, with his oxygen tank resting on the other. “It was my philosophy to grant a wish to make the child happy, and if you can do more for the family, then you should do it,” Wilder said. She still connects with Drew’s family, and they recently served as featured speakers at conference for the Association of Wish Granting Organizations (AWGO).

The last wish Wilder had a hand in was this past December, when New Hope’s Wishes for Kids sent teenaged Joshua and his family for a weekend in Miami to see a Patriot’s game. Joshua’s entire family was able to enjoy the experience together, and the avid fans took home a lifetime memory as a souvenir. “He must have been over the moon when they won the Super Bowl recently,” she said.

Wilder would like to extend a special thank you to volunteer, Jackie Mrozka, who put in numerous hours planning the wish and generating a generous donation from the hotel where the family stayed.

Rosie’s Wish Kids remember her fondly, as well. After suffering an unexpected illness, 18-year-old, Jenny, had a wish fulfilled in 2014. "A wish is much more than a special day in the life of a sick or recovering child or teen. The fulfillment of a wish shows that anything is possible. While I was working on my recovery, in the back of my mind I knew that something incredible and extraordinary was waiting for me, and it gave me that extra push. New Hope for Kids and the always-smiling Rosie Wilder gave me something to hang onto," Jenny said.

“I will never forget the courage of the families that inspired me with their bravery each and every day,” Wilder said. “Granting wishes has literally changed my life. We all have days when our troubles weigh us down, when life is frustrating or disappointing. Every visit with these courageous kids reminded me to share fewer complaints and more appreciation.”

What are Wilder’s plans for her retirement? Wilder said that she decided to retire while she was still young enough to enjoy her grandchildren, spend time with friends, and pursue her passions, including volunteering and writing. “I would like to use my educational and personal experiences to help others,” she said. “I would like to use the reservoir of strength I have built to continue to make a difference in the life of others.”

For more information or if you know of a child who would benefit from a wish, please contact: New Hope for Kids at 407-331-3059.