Our February Donor of the Month Dawnyel Smink has known about Make-A-Wish her whole life. 

An Arizona resident, she remembers hearing stories about wish kids growing up but didn’t really understand the impact a wish could have on a child or a family until getting involved through her business, Canyon Lands Insurance, a few years ago. 

“I was asked to be a part of a new committee focusing on planned giving and educating insurance companies and financial planners about Make-A-Wish and how their clients could benefit future wishes through planned giving,” said Dawnyel. “I signed up to be one of the first to be a part of the Legacy of Wishes group – putting Make-A-Wish in my will.”

Dawnyel and her business have committed to wish kids in other ways, including hosting a wish kid each year at a big holiday party that also honors her father’s birthday. She also donates for every new client her company secures. 

“Our company loves that we see an impact to our gifts in our own community,” said Dawnyel. “I have my own kids, between the ages of 23 and 8, and to have our kids see us make other kids’ lives better, it helps us turn them into good humans.”

Dawnyel is thankful she can give back, but believes the wish kids have given to her as well. 

“To hear the kids speak, it really drives home the value of a wish and how it affects not only the child, but also the family,” she said. “I’m so happy to be a part of this legacy.”