Make-A-Wish Mid-South Gifts a Week of Wonder

Paradise with a Purpose

By Caitlyn Burrus | Photography provided by Paradise Properties

This summer, a little girl’s dream became reality on the shores of Panama City Beach. At just four years old, she had already faced challenges that no child should, bravely battling cancer until doctors finally declared her in remission. When asked what she wished for most, her answer was beautifully simple: to spend time at the beach with her family—and to meet a mermaid.

Thanks to a new initiative called Paradise with a Purpose, her wish was granted in a way that surpassed imagination. Paradise Properties Vacation Rentals & Sales, in partnership with Make-A-Wish Mid-South and a host of generous local businesses, created a seven-day experience filled with joy, adventure, and meaningful time together for the family of six.

In the summer of 2025, Paradise Properties Vacation Rentals & Sales partnered with Make-A-Wish Mid-South and a host of Panama City Beach, Florida, businesses to give a little girl and her family the beach trip of her dreams.

The family arrived at a beachfront home called Joy by the Sea, generously donated for the week by Paradise Properties, who covered the full cost of their week-long stay. After a twelve-hour drive from Arkansas, they stepped into a house transformed with mermaid-themed decorations and personalized gifts for each family member. For the children, it was a moment of wide-eyed excitement; for the parents, it was a sigh of relief as they embraced the start of a week where all they had to do was simply enjoy being together.

Jeff Nielsen, Fractional CMO for Paradise Properties and owner of The Branding Room Floor marketing agency, explains the thoughtful planning behind the week: “We wanted to know who they were as a family, their favorite foods, colors, even their favorite heroes, so we could make every moment feel personal. That helped us decide on the meals, the activities, and even the little surprises that made the week feel magical.”

Each day brought a new adventure, revealed through envelopes with carefully planned itineraries. The family enjoyed sandcastle lessons on the beach, a dolphin cruise at sunset, an evening at Dolly Parton’s Pirates Voyage Dinner Show, and a private mermaid encounter that made the little girl’s dream come true. There were thoughtful touches throughout: special snacks, family beach days, a bonfire under the stars, and even a hibachi dinner prepared right at the house during sunset. On the final day, the family gathered for professional photos and a custom video keepsake to preserve their memories forever.

“This experience touched us profoundly,” Nielsen shares. “For the family, it was a dream fulfilled. For our team, our partners, and every business that contributed, it was proof of what compassion, generosity, and community can achieve when we all come together. We walked away not just as hosts, but as humans forever changed by the power of kindness.”

He adds that this project was different from the typical vacation stay Paradise Properties provides: “Normally, our guests plan their own week at the beach. Here, every detail was carefully curated with love and intention. It wasn’t about convenience or luxury; it was about healing, hope, and giving the family time together without worry.”

Community was at the heart of this wish. Dozens of local businesses partnered with Paradise Properties and donated time, services, or resources to make the week extraordinary. From Beach Sand Sculptures and Island Time Dolphin Cruises to Beach Better Co. and Coastal Beach Service, each contribution added a layer of generosity and care. Morganize It thoughtfully crafted decor and gift baskets, while Palm & Palette Art Collective and Hampton Restoration supported meals and experiences. At the same time, Salt Social captured the memories in photos and video. Aequoreal Spell Productions brought the mermaid to life, Hibachi@Home prepared a special dinner, and Summit Group made the magical mermaid encounter possible. Together, these partners turned a child’s dream into something unforgettable.

For Paradise Properties, this first wish is just the beginning. “We see this as the start of something much bigger,” Michelle Klein, Paradise Properties owner, said. “Every booking with us now plays a role in funding future wishes, so our guests can feel proud knowing their vacation is also helping create joy for families who need it most.”

In a season devoted to gratitude and generosity, this story is a reminder of the goodness that happens when people come together with open hearts. For one little girl, paradise wasn’t only in the emerald waves and sugar-white sands but also in the love and kindness that surrounded her, turning a wish into a treasured family memory. As her mother later shared, “You all are so very kind to do that for us, and we couldn’t thank you guys enough for making this time so special and memorable!”

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To learn more about Paradise with a Purpose or to get involved in supporting future wishes, visit Paradise30a.com/paradise-with-a-purpose.

This wish was made possible by the generosity of: Make-A-Wish Mid-South; The Branding Room Floor; Joy by the Sea homeowners Tim & Joy Vertz; Beach Sand Sculptures; Island Time Dolphin Cruises; Aequoreal Spell Productions; Pirates Voyage Dinner Show; Hibachi@Home; Beach Better Co.; Coastal Beach Service; Morganize It; Salt Social Photography + Videography; Palm & Palette; Hampton Restoration; and Summit Group.

About Paradise Properties Vacation Rentals & Sales

Paradise Properties is a premier, independent full-service real estate and luxury vacation rental management company serving Florida’s Scenic Highway 30A and Panama City Beach, dedicated to delivering exceptional service for both homeowners and guests. Learn more at Paradise30A.com. 

About Make-A-Wish Mid-South®

Make-A-Wish Mid-South® grants the wishes of children with critical illnesses. Doctors diagnose one child every 20 minutes with a critical illness. Recent studies have shown that wishes provide long-term impact through increased emotional and physical health, making children more likely to overcome their conditions. Each year, Make-A-Wish Mid-South grants wishes for more than 300 children locally. The average cost of a wish is more than $10,000, and Make-A-Wish relies solely on fundraisers, corporate support, and donations from the public to transform lives one wish at a time. Learn more at Midsouth.Wish.org.