Make-A-Wish Illinois announces Claire Smego of Downers Grove as the recipient of the 2022 Volunteer Fundraiser, Associate Board Award for excellence in volunteerism in fundraising to support Make-A-Wish.

The Associate Board of Make-A-Wish Illinois Unites young professionals to support the mission through event-based fundraising and spreading awareness in the community.

An active member of the Associate Board since 2019, Claire took on two of the groups largest fundraisers as event chair – the Over the Edge rappelling event in August 2021 and I Wish to Party in March 2022. Each event welcomed hundreds of guests and surpassed fundraising goals set. 

“Claire's support of fundraising is amazing, and her overall leadership has made a tremendous impact with the members of the Associate Board and the organization as a whole,” said Kara Pietrowski, signature events specialist for Make-A-Wish Illinois.

“I’ve learned a new way to get out of my comfort zone,” Smego said of her time volunteering with Make-A-Wish. “But I learned that I could lean my own networks and resources for a common good and it’s rewarding.”