Make-A-Wish Iowa has received the largest pledged donation in its 39-year history. The nonprofit announced that North Liberty-based Gerdin Charitable Foundation has pledged a $700,000 annual match on donations made to Make-A-Wish Iowa for the next five years to help grant wishes for children with critical illnesses, totaling $3.5 million, according to a news release. “The entire Gerdin family has raised their hands to lead the charge, to ensure that kids in Iowa can receive a life-changing wish,” said Sara Kurovski, CEO of Make-A-Wish Iowa, in a prepared statement. “Kids are referred to us every day, and we simply can’t keep up with the growing number of wishes that need to be granted. To have these leaders in the community acknowledge the impact a wish experience can have on a child and their family, at a time that is so critically important, makes all the difference.” The Gerdin family’s donation will allow nearly 250 wishes to be granted to the 300 critically ill children in Iowa who are waiting for their wish, the release says. “Giving wishes to kids is a privilege for our family,” said Julie Durr, a Gerdin Charitable Foundation spokesperson, in a prepared statement. “These wish experiences bring hope, often when hopelessness is being felt, and light on dark days. While giving these kids and their families something to look forward to is incredibly rewarding, we hope someday, in a perfect world, granting wishes won’t be needed, and children will never fall ill.”