At Pure Magic Vacations, creating memorable experiences is part of what we do. However, some experiences hold a particularly special place in our hearts.

Pure Magic Vacations supports Make-A-Wish Canada through fundraising and participation in Trees of Joy. As we enter our third year, we're proud to share our story, celebrate what we've accomplished together and invite you to help bring more wishes to life.

 

Bringing Hope and Joy to Canadian Children

Make-A-Wish Canada creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Through the generosity of donors and volunteers, the organization helps children and their families experience moments of hope, strength and joy during incredibly challenging times.

Each wish reflects the individual child's hopes and dreams. Beyond the excitement of the wish itself, these experiences offer families something positive to anticipate and memories they can treasure together.

For our team, supporting this mission is especially meaningful.

Continuing Carolyn's Legacy

Make-A-Wish Canada was a cause close to the heart of Carolyn Williams, the former owner of Pure Magic Vacations, who passed away unexpectedly in 2020.

Today, our agency continues to honour her memory through our ongoing support of this remarkable organization. It's an opportunity for us to celebrate Carolyn's legacy while contributing to a cause that brings hope to children and families across Canada.

Now in our third year of fundraising, Pure Magic Vacations has helped fund two wishes through our collective efforts. We're incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed to making that possible.

 

Make-A-Wish Canada's Trees of Joy: A Holiday Tradition

Trees of Joy is one of the ways our agency brings this commitment to life.

Each year, Make-A-Wish Canada brings together sponsors and wish families for a heartwarming holiday celebration. Sponsors create beautifully themed, decorated Christmas trees inspired by the children's unique interests and personalities. First held in Toronto in 2016, Trees of Joy has since grown into a national holiday tradition.

For Pure Magic Vacations, agent Lisa Gerlsbeck leads the preparations. She communicates with our selected family, develops the theme and spends months planning and decorating the tree in her own living room. It's truly a labour of love.

Inspired by a Hawaiian Disney theme, Arianna's tree featured colourful decorations and Stitch-inspired details. Lisa Gerlsbeck designed the tree before participating agents worked together to assemble and decorate it at Trees of Joy.

When the big day arrives, the tree is carefully disassembled and transported to the event venue. Participating agents then work together to reassemble and decorate it before the family arrives.

 

Pure Magic Vacations agents work together to put the finishing touches on their tree before the family's arrival.
 

The celebration culminates in a special reveal, when families are introduced to their trees. Afterwards, agents have an opportunity to connect with the families over a hosted breakfast.

This year's Trees of Joy event takes place on November 20, 2026, at the Toronto Congress Centre.

The People Behind the Magic

Trees of Joy brings our agents together in support of a shared cause, with different team members participating each year.

For agent Carolyn de Blieck, one particularly memorable moment came after the tree reveal.

"I so enjoyed having breakfast with the family after the trees were introduced. Since the family had already been on their trip to Hawaii, they shared their photos and stories about their trip. Their happiness just radiated over them all."

Agent Marie LaRocca remembers the excitement of the reveal, particularly seeing the wish child's reaction and watching the parents enjoy their child's happiness.

She also recalls the wonderful sense of community among everyone decorating the trees.

"It was a very heartwarming experience to be in a room full of people doing something so special."

For agent Adam Wills, the experience was equally memorable. A Stitch fan himself, he particularly enjoyed helping decorate the Hawaiian Disney-themed tree that Lisa had designed. He also appreciated the opportunity to work alongside his fellow agents.

"Everyone did their part working together as one team!"

These personal connections are part of what makes Trees of Joy so meaningful. Behind every carefully chosen decoration is a family with its own story, and the opportunity to share in their happiness is a wonderful reminder of why we participate.

The tree reveal gives wish families an opportunity to enjoy the personalized decorations created especially for them.
 

Help Us Reach Our 2026 Fundraising Goal

This year, Pure Magic Vacations has set a fundraising goal of $10,000 for Make-A-Wish Canada.

Every contribution brings us closer to that target and helps Make-A-Wish Canada continue its important work.

Whether you're a Pure Magic Vacations client, a friend, a family member or simply someone who believes in the power of a wish, we invite you to join us.

A group of Pure Magic Vacations agents joins the Trees of Joy celebration, continuing the agency's tradition of giving back.

Please consider donating to our 2026 campaign on our online fundraising page and helping us create more unforgettable moments for children and families across Canada.

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Pure Magic Vacations is a Canadian travel agency specializing in Disney destinations, Universal vacations and cruises. Our team is proud to support Make-A-Wish Canada through fundraising and participation in Trees of Joy, continuing a cause close to the heart of our former owner, Carolyn Williams.

Instagram: @puremagicvacations