What ways are you involved as a volunteer?

A Wish Granter, Shopping Spree Assistant, and Special events volunteer

How did you first find Make-A-Wish?

Through AmeriCorps RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), looking for wish granters outside of the metro area. I’m in Saint Michael.

How long have you been volunteering with Make-A-Wish MN?

1 year

What has been the most rewarding experience of volunteering with Make-A-Wish?

Meeting the wish families has been really great. They’re so excited that you’re coming to grant a wish. It’s really cool to see the kids excited about the wish and the fun boosts along the way.

What advice would you give to new volunteers?

Just start. Take the opportunity to get paired with an experienced wish granter for the first few wishes to get ideas, start building a network of people you can ask questions. Then start getting ideas for boosts, from the Facebook Volunteer page or MAW Pinterest, or shopping in discount stores and just seeing what’s available. It’s easier to get boost ideas if you’ve already gotten an idea of where you can get different items around town. Let your creativity shine!

Trust that you’ll be supported. The Make-A-Wish staff is always available for questions and support, and the volunteers are so engaged and love to help each other out.

What story would you share to inspire others to become a volunteer with Make-A-Wish?

These kids and families are so strong and resilient. It’s been my experience that they are so grateful and excited to see the volunteers with the Make-A-Wish shirts come to meet them. The kids are all interesting and doing their best with their situation and the families have lots of interesting stories to share. After each wish visit, I feel energized and full of ideas about how I can help more. When I first volunteered, I didn’t know what to expect and I was kind of nervous, not having specifically worked with kids before, but I have found that the more I do, the more I want to do, and my volunteer network is growing. In less than a year, I have made volunteer friends that I can share ideas with and ask questions to and even trade favors, usually related to crafting. This role is as much fun for me as it is rewarding to know I’m helping to brighten a kid’s day. That’s what I like about it.