Volunteer
Join a caring community of volunteers who transform lives. Together, we can make countless wishes come true.
Volunteering with Make-A-Wish New Jersey will likely become one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Your efforts will be returned with smiles, joy, and the remarkable feeling that comes from transforming the life of a child.
Check out our volunteer opportunities and see where you can best help make wishes come true!
We are grateful for the overwhelming interest we have received from members of our community wanting to join our Volunteer Program and assist our chapter. At this time, our greatest need is for Spanish-speaking volunteers interested in becoming Wish Granters as well as Event and Wish Granter volunteers located within certain counties of New Jersey. These counties include Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Cape May, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Morris. Passaic, Salem, Sussex, and Warren.
Please see below for additional details should you meet these criteria listed.
Work with a volunteer partner to meet with wish kids and their families to help determine their heartfelt wishes, and then team with our staff to make those wishes a reality. Wish Discovery visits are held primarily in-person at our Castle in Monroe Township. Visits typically take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday and Sunday during the day. When required by the family, visits can be done virtually. If volunteering on the creation of a wish, travel to the wish child's home may be involved.
Volunteers must be 21 years old to hold this role. Additional training may be required.
Support events hosted by either the Foundation itself or by third parties who have named the Foundation as the beneficiary of their efforts. Assistance can come in the form of collecting donations, registering guests, or staffing an information table. Events can be located across the state of New Jersey. Outreach includes representing Make-A-Wish New Jersey at various mission related opportunities.
Volunteers must be 21 years old to hold this role.
Volunteers can also organize and execute their own events.
For more information on organizing your own event, click here.
Welcome Hall volunteers will act as “the face” of Make-A-Wish New Jersey for those visiting the Samuel and Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place, also affectionately known as "the Castle," in Monroe Township, NJ. Welcome Hall volunteers may be asked to direct guests and answer general questions, including how to make a donation. Welcome Hall volunteers will be required to know the general history of Make-A-Wish and the Castle and give tours when needed. Volunteers in this role may assist with various projects at our chapter office, including writing cards to wish kids.
Volunteer must be 18 years old to hold this role.
Skill-based volunteers support the Make-A-Wish New Jersey chapter by showcasing their knowledge and skills on an as-needed basis. A volunteer should be fluent and/or have a professional knowledge of the needed skill. Examples of sought after skills include but are not limited to, reading/writing in multiple languages and/or interpretation, licensed expert in construction, plumbing, electrical or surveying, landscaping, interior design, computer graphics/design and photographer.
Volunteers must be 18 years old to hold this role.
Skill-based volunteers that participate in wish creation must be 21 years old.
Youth Volunteer
Throughout the year there are special projects where the support of Youth Volunteers is needed. Volunteer opportunities include preparing wish-related items, helping with event set-up, and special projects. To learn how to be placed in our Youth Volunteer Program please contact the Director of Volunteer Programs.
Youth volunteers must be between the ages of 13-18.
At every level of the organization, volunteers are important to our mission. Get started today and as a Make-A-Wish volunteer, soon you can bring hope and joy to local children battling critical illnesses. Please note this onboarding process is detailed due to the sensitive and dynamic nature of our mission. The process can take up to two months to complete.
As mentioned above, we are grateful for the overwhelming interest we have received from members of our community wanting to join our Volunteer Program and assist our chapter. At this time, our greatest need is for Spanish speaking Wish Granting volunteers as well as Event and Wish Granting volunteers located within certain counties of New Jersey. These counties include Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Cape May, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Morris. Passaic, Salem, Sussex, and Warren.
Spanish-speaking applicants: If you are fluent in Spanish and are interested in becoming a Wish Granter, please take a moment to fill this interest form. Spanish speaking Wish Granters must be 21-years and older.
County-specific applicants: If you reside in one of the counties listed above and are interested in volunteering for events in your area or being a Wish Granter for our chapter, please take a moment to fill out this interest form. Wish Granters must be 21-years and older.
Once we receive your completed interest form, our Director of Volunteer Programs will reach out to you to discuss the next steps in our onboarding program.
If you do not meet the criteria outlined above at this time, we extend our sincere gratitude for your interest in volunteering with our chapter. We encourage you to periodically revisit this page for updates, as all volunteer opportunities will be posted here.
1. Fill out the Volunteer Interest form: During an open onboarding cycle, filling out an interest form, will add you to our list for the next scheduled onboarding cycle. We are currently not accepting general volunteer applications. Please check back periodically for updates to our volunteer needs.
2. Orientation information: The next step will be to review orientation information sent to your email address on file. This information will share key Make-A-Wish mission ideals, volunteer roles, requirements and responsibilities that will better help you decide which opportunity best fits your time and talents.
3. Fill out application: Once you have completed reviewing all materials, you will receive a link to complete the volunteer application from a Make-A-Wish staff member. This is used as a preliminary screening tool. Please note - incomplete applications will not be considered.
4. Chat with a current volunteer or staff member: After we receive your completed application, you will speak with a current volunteer or staff member to get your questions answered and allow time to learn more about you and your interests. We may also ask for personal references that our staff will reach out to.
5. Background Check: Before you begin your training session, you will be asked to complete a criminal background check through our approved vendor and submit final paperwork.
6. Attend a Volunteer Training: Next you will attend a 4-hour training session at our Castle in Monroe Township, NJ, where you will learn critical information to help you carry out your role as a Make-A-Wish volunteer. There will be interactive sessions and role specific trainings.
7. Welcome! Once the above criteria and steps are completed, we will officially welcome you as a Make-A-Wish volunteer, where you will become an integral part of helping our chapter to deliver our mission.
Need more information before you start your journey?
Contact our chapter directly at 609-371-9474.