OCOEE, Fla. — For children with critical illnesses, organizations like Make-A-Wish grant life-changing opportunities.

And for Jeff and Danielle Perera of one local bagel shop, it was an opportune time to help make more wishes come true.

In the month of August, Jeff’s Bagel Run raised $6,000 in sales of blue bagels and blue lemonade. The color was a nod to Make-A-Wish’s signature blue logo.

Jeff’s Bagel Run then matched the donations, totaling $12,000 for the nonprofit.

“It just brings us a lot of joy to know we’re doing something to help someone. It’s a part of our DNA, in our mission, to bring joy,” said Perera, who co-owns the now growing bagel shop with his wife.

One busy bagel-making morning, the couple even hosted 11-year-old wish kid Madison Wyatt in their kitchen, allowing her to help with bagel preparations and cooking the iconic blue creations for charity.

Wyatt, who has had cystic fibrosis all of her life, had her wish granted this past December as she danced with the New York City Rockets.

At the bagel shop, Wyatt rolled up her sleeves to help other children get their wishes granted as well.

“This is all new for her. She’s sometimes kind of shy in new situations and Jeff has done amazing in making her feel right at home,” said her mother, Jamie. “I know how important it was for Madison to get her wish … to be able to have other kids and their families be able to have that experience makes us happy.”

An avid baker, Wyatt loves bagels but had never before been in a commercial kitchen churning them out.

“You have to build bagel muscles,” Jeff said with a laugh as he helped the girl use a large, silver slotted spoon to scoop out the blue bagels.

“It’s really cool,” remarked Madison, whose family had driven from West Melbourne to Ocoee for the unique experience.

For the couple, whose bagel-making adventure started in 2019 when Jeff lost his job and his wife lovingly instructed him to learn to “make her a bagel,” participating in fundraisers like this show their own four children — how invested they are in the community.

“My kids are healthy. We are blessed and lucky. There are so many kids that aren’t healthy, who might need that support,” said Danielle. “And even if we can be a small piece of that, I want my kids to understand the importance of giving back. The world is bigger than just us.”