“SPEECHLESS WITH GRATITUDE” — MICKY DOLENZ ON THE STUNNING SUCCESS OF HIS MAKE-A-WISH FUNDRAISER
Few moments in music history carry the warmth of seeing an artist not only celebrated for past triumphs, but embraced for the good they are doing in the present. That is exactly what has happened with Micky Dolenz, the last surviving member of The Monkees, who recently found himself “completely overwhelmed” by the outpouring of support for his merchandise sale benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The initiative, announced quietly, quickly turned into something far greater. Fans from across the country — and indeed around the world — flocked to his online shop, purchasing memorabilia not only as keepsakes, but as acts of kindness. For every order placed, a portion of the proceeds goes directly to Make-A-Wish, the organization devoted to bringing joy and hope to children facing critical illnesses.
Dolenz’s reaction has been nothing short of heartfelt. “The response has left me speechless,” he admitted. “Your generosity, your kind words, your support — it’s all been so moving.” For a man who has spent decades on stage before roaring crowds, it is telling that what humbles him most today is not the applause, but the compassion of his fans.
Behind the scenes, the effort has turned Dolenz’s daily routine into something resembling a joyful frenzy. He describes himself as “happily buried under a mountain of orders,” Sharpie in hand, signing away like a “madman — a very grateful one.” Fans who have ordered items may well imagine him at his desk, stacks of records and photographs piled high, pen racing across glossy covers, each signature a small token of appreciation for the loyalty and love shown to him over the years.
But the heart of this story is not the memorabilia. It is the cause. Make-A-Wish has, for decades, granted life-changing experiences to children whose days are often filled with hospital visits and treatments. To these families, a single wish fulfilled can mean hope, light, and treasured memories that last forever. Dolenz’s decision to tie his merchandise sales to this mission reflects both his generosity and his lifelong belief that music and kindness are meant to be shared.
The connection between Dolenz and The Monkees’ legacy makes the gesture even more poignant. The Monkees, after all, were never just a band. From their first television episodes in the 1960s to the timeless strains of “I’m a Believer” and “Daydream Believer,” their music carried a message of joy, fun, and optimism. Today, Dolenz is carrying that same spirit into a new era — one where joy is not only sung, but given.
For fans, the fundraiser has become more than an opportunity to own a signed item. It is a chance to be part of something larger, to know that their support helps children in need find moments of happiness during their hardest days. In return, Dolenz has made it clear that every order is received not just with gratitude, but with genuine emotion.
“If you haven’t had a chance to check it out yet,” he added, “the shop’s still open — and a portion of every order continues to go straight to Make-A-Wish, a cause that means the world to me. From the bottom of my heart: thank you, thank you, thank you.”
In those words, the charm of Micky Dolenz shines through as brightly as it did when he first sang on television screens more than half a century ago. The boyish humor remains, the musical legacy endures, but now there is something even richer — the gratitude of a man who knows that the greatest applause comes not from the stage, but from the lives touched along the way.