15-Year-Old Mayla’s Wish for a Pool Makeover Granted in Partnership with Pinch A Penny

When 15-year-old Mayla wished for a pool makeover, she envisioned more than a transformed backyard. Because being in the water provides Mayla with a sense of comfort and relaxation, she dreamed of creating a space where she could enjoy the water while spending time with her family and making lasting memories. Make-A-Wish® Central and Northern Florida and Ken and Debbie Kies, local independent Pinch A Penny franchise owners, came together to help make that wish possible.

Through Pinch A Penny’s partnership and the generosity of local Wishmakers, Mayla’s wish took shape from the planning stages through the final reveal. Local businesses, skilled subcontractors, volunteers and supporters each played a role in creating a space designed specifically for Mayla and her family, including an orca mosaic that reflects one of the personal details that made her wish uniquely hers.

“Mayla’s wish is a beautiful example of what is possible when a local community comes together with a shared purpose,” said Anne Cuba, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida. “Partnerships like the one we have with Pinch A Penny are so powerful because they allow us to turn a child’s vision into something tangible that can bring joy to their family for years to come. We are incredibly grateful to Pinch A Penny, their local team, the skilled partners who helped make the transformation possible and every Wish Maker who played a role in creating this special experience for Mayla.”

The impact of Mayla’s wish will continue long after the celebration. Because being in the water provides Mayla with comfort and therapeutic benefits, her pool will be a place where she can relax, spend time with her family and enjoy the moments that matter most. For Mayla, the wish is more than a one-day celebration—it is a space she can continue to enjoy and a lasting reminder of the community that came together to make her wish possible.

“Being part of Mayla’s wish and seeing the joy this pool makeover brought to her and her family was truly special,” said Ken Kies, an independent Pinch A Penny franchise owner. “As a local business, we have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve, and we were honored to bring our expertise together with Make-A-Wish and so many generous local partners to create a space where Mayla can feel comfortable, make memories with her family and enjoy the water for years to come.” Mayla’s wish is also a reflection of the growing local impact of Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida throughout the Space Coast. By building relationships with local businesses and community members, the organization is able to bring its mission closer to children and families in the communities where they live.

About Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida:
Make-A-Wish® Central and Northern Florida creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses in 45 counties across the state. Our vision is to grant the wish of every eligible child. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illness. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and more than 20,000 volunteers across the nation, Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida and 57 other chapters throughout the U.S. have granted more than 400,000 wishes nationwide. Our chapter has granted over 8,000 wishes to date. For more information about Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida, visit wish.org/cnfl.

About Pinch A Penny:
Pinch A Penny is the nation’s largest pool supply retail and service franchise, serving local communities for more than 50 years. With over 300 locations across the Sun Belt, the brand delivers professional pool care through a network of locally owned and operated franchise stores. Pinch A Penny combines retail, service, and repair expertise with certified training programs that equip franchise owners and associates to deliver expert pool care with no prior industry experience required. For more information, visit pinchapenny.com. Franchise opportunities are available at Pinchapennypoolfranchise.com.