Thanksgiving, the annual charity event from popular YouTuber Sean “Jackseticeye” McLaughlin, went on hiatus in 2025, but returns this year as a six-month fundraiser for Make-A-Wish with a goal of raising $3 million.
The comprehensive event, dubbed “Wishmas” (culminating with Jackseticeye’s Thanks Livestream on YouTube on Dec. 5), aims to give creators and fans “more time to impact children with serious illnesses.”
According to Make-A-Wish’s official Thanksgiving announcement, “For children facing serious illness, wishes can provide hope, strength, and a sense of normalcy. Research shows that wishes can help children develop the emotional and physical strength they need to fight illness and improve their quality of life. But for every wish that Make-A-Wish grants, two more children are waiting for a wish.”
McLaughlin, a YouTube creator and gamer, has partnered with Make-A-Wish and helped make more than 30 wishes come true. McLoughlin chose Make-A-Wish as the focus for this year’s Thanksgiving after his own experience working with children in the program.
“For Wish alumnus Billy, meeting Sean was life-changing. Living with a serious illness that requires more than three hours of treatment every day, Billy says Sean’s videos have helped distract him from his pain and given him something to look forward to,” Make-A-Wish’s thank you announcement said. “While making wishes come true, Billy and Sean bonded over comics, space, movies, and games, and Sean supported Billy’s dream of becoming a creator. When Billy’s mother said that this experience ‘made his year,’ Billy quietly added, ‘This experience made mine!'”
The Wishmas initiative, hosted by creator fundraising platform Tiltify, will allow participants to contribute through livestreams, fundraising events, and digital content.
Since its inception in 2017, Jackseticeye’s Thank Youmas event has raised millions of dollars for charities around the world, with the participation of stars and creators such as Jack Black, Marc Prior, and Bella Porichi.
“Wishes aren’t fleeting; they create lasting memories, bring families together, and remind us that joy can be found even in life’s most difficult moments,” said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “Wishmas happens when the incredible energy of the Thanksgiving community is focused on making wishes come true. Every fundraiser, every livestream, every donation helps bring hope and joy to more children and families.”
“Each time I have had the honor of being a ‘wish-granter,’ I have seen the unique impact that Make-A-Wish has on children and families in need,” McLoughlin said. “The Thanksgiving community has shown time and time again that creators and viewers can make a real difference in the world, so when we return this year for Wishmas, we’ll bring that same energy to help grant the wishes of children facing serious illnesses. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish as a force for global good.”
“Creators have changed the face of fundraising. When fans ask someone they trust to be a part of something, they show up and bring their friends,” said Michael Wasserman, CEO and co-founder of Tiltify. “Thanksmas proves that every year, and extending the Wishmas season to six months will allow more creators of all sizes to rally their communities to make wishes come true for children waiting for Wishmas.”
Watch Jackseticeye’s announcement about Thanksgiving 2026 in the video below.
