1. What ways are you involved as a volunteer?
I serve primarily as a wish granter. I have helped on the Wine & Wishes Gala planning and set up committee. I have volunteered at community events such as handing out information at a Red Hawks game. I have served as an airport greeter.
2. How did you first find Make-A-Wish?
I have always been familiar with Make-A-Wish because of knowing families who have had children with wishes granted. Our daughter has a rare genetic variant that has caused her to have significant medical and developmental needs. Although we personally never went through a Make-A-Wish experience, I saw the positive impact the Make-A-Wish program had on families. I knew I wanted to be a part of bringing joy and excitement to families struggling to find normalcy in the midst of the constant chaos/stress of constant medical management for their children.
3. How long have you been volunteering with Make-A-Wish MN?
I started as a wish granter in January 2019.
4. What has been the most rewarding experience of volunteering with Make-A-Wish?
The most rewarding experience has been meeting the children (and their families). They are so grateful and excited. I have loved working with families to plan wish reveals and seeing the huge smiles from everyone involved when the wish comes to fruition.
5. What advice would you give to new volunteers?
The advice I would give is to new volunteers is to stay in touch with families as much as possible during the wish granting process. Sometimes the process can take a while depending on the type of wish it is. The ultimate reward of being a volunteer with Make-A-Wish is the connection you make with families. The families are so appreciative of your time and attention. You will always feel good about the joy you bring to families even if it’s just dropping a little note in the mail to them.
6. What story would you share to inspire others to become a volunteer with Make-A-Wish?
I think the story I’d like to share is about one of the more recent wishes I was involved in. The mother was very nervous and unsure about the Make-A-Wish process. This wish discovery process was unique because the child was non-verbal. However, Make-A-Wish administrators shared lots of materials that would be helpful during the initial meeting with the family such as pictures that might allow the child to point to things of interest to her. There had been a very recent medical setback for the child prior to our first meeting which caused the child to go from walking to not being able to use her legs. Through playing with the child and visiting for a long time with the mom, I was able to see the excitement the child had for Disney characters and the comfort the child had when snuggled by her mom. Ultimately, the child’s wish to go to Disney World was granted. The family had the most amazing time and the smiles when the family walked through the airport upon return was priceless. I experienced my own excitement and surprise when I saw that the child went from not walking to walking from the time of the wish discovery to the wish reveal. That was simply amazing and so inspiring!