What ways are you involved as a volunteer?
I have volunteered in many ways throughout the years, currently, I am working on logging in and photographing donated items for the upcoming Wish Ball Silent Auction. I love to work as a wish granter and have met many wonderful wish kids and their families through this experience. I have also worked on projects at the MAW office, working with the staff with compiling and arranging photos and working on a mailing of Make-A-Wish calendars. Also have worked at booths during the holiday season at the Mall of America and other locations.

How did you first find Make-A-Wish?
As a former first grade teacher, I wanted to continue to work with children, and what a better way to work with children than becoming a Make-A-Wish volunteer! We get to bring some brightness to children who are dealing with huge challenges in their young lives. After attending a Wish Ball with a friend, I decided that this was an organization that I would love to contribute my time and energy.

How long have you been volunteering with Make-A-Wish Minnesota?
Looking back, I began volunteering and became a wish granter in 2013. Time sure does fly by.

What has been the most rewarding experience of volunteering with Make-A-Wish?
I have to say that my most rewarding experience is not just one particular moment, but many that have happened. I am most rewarded after a child is granted their wish, and their parents send pictures of the child and family on their wish vacation. I cherish the thank you notes, because these experiences are truly appreciated by wish families. They are grateful to Make-A-Wish for helping them to make their children smile and forget about their illnesses for a just little while. Make-A-Wish can give these children a positive experience, quite possibly helping them to fight their disease because they have something special to look forward to.

What advice would you give to new volunteers?
Get involved in many different ways, then you can discover what type of volunteering you love the best. Try many of the Make-A-Wish volunteer options.  Also, if you can, having a friend join as a volunteer with you can make the experience so much fun.

What story would you share to inspire others to become a volunteer with Make-A-Wish?
I was working with a wish child who loved building with Legos.  Naturally, his wish was going to have some sort of experience including Legos. As a wish reveal we were invited to the Lego Store at the MOA, and this boy, his brother and two friends were all given the opportunity to work with an employee to build a small Lego project, and were allowed to fill their goody bags with Legos around the store. Beaming with excitement, he was buzzing around the store like it was his best day in his life.  And when we revealed that as a part of his wish he would be going to LEGOLAND Florida, you would have thought we were giving him the world. This trip to Florida was his first family vacation, which was outstanding for him and his family.  When their Florida vacation was over, His mom wrote me such a kind note. She felt that he came back from the trip with such a changed attitude for his treatments, and he was so proud to tell his class at school all about his trip. She saw her son’s demeanor change, he seemed so much happier again. She felt so grateful to Make-A-Wish for giving him this experience.  That is why I volunteer for Make-A-Wish.