Meet Gabi: A Make-A-Wish Volunteer's Journey of Joy, Personal Connections
Gabi has been involved with the Make-A-Wish Metro and Western New York chapter since 2013 as a volunteer. She has helped to grant wishes for local kids as well as "wish assist" kids, or children from other chapters who wish to visit New York City. She took her involvement further in 2019 when she decided to join the Metro New York Women's Council, where she now serves as Co-Chair. Gabi's professional experience as an event planner, along with her personal connections in the city, has allowed her to help plan and enhance wishes, ensuring that the wish kid can have the most personalized and memorable experience possible.Â
What initially drew you to Make-A-Wish?Â
Growing up, my mother worked for a pediatric oncologist, and seeing all the great organizations that supported those children has stayed with me throughout my life. In addition, I've always had a love for children, and a desire for helping others. Make-A-Wish seemed like a perfect fit for me to support both of those passions.Â
As a volunteer, you have worked very closely with wishes and with wish granting. What motivates you to spend your free time being a part of these wishes?Â
It's a pretty easy choice for me- having the opportunity to bring joy to these children and their families who have gone/going through challenging times due to health issues- is extremely rewarding. Seeing the wish kids' smiles and excitement, knowing that Make-A-Wish is providing that gift to them, and their families is priceless. I get just as much out of giving the experience as those on the receiving end of the wish. Â
What has been your favorite wish experience thus far?Â
Tough question, as they are all amazing in their own ways. I'd have to say two stand out to me, however. One young girl wished for a shopping spree to purchase barbies and other toys. Her mother was suggesting all sorts of trips, but the wish child was adamant in her decision to go to Toys R Us and shop. I was lucky enough to get to partake in her wish granting day. We went to Toys R Us, and she was a kid in a candy store-- making her way from floor to floor, screaming with glee knowing she could get shopping carts full of toys! Â
Another wonderful wish was Sebastian's wish for a jail cell in his basement, so he can "lock up the bad guys" (and his younger twin sisters)! When it came to wish day, I called in a favor with someone I knew at the NYPD, so as an enhancement to his wish, Sebastian, his family, and myself and Kelly, my fellow volunteer, spent time with the NYPD prior to the jail cell reveal. Sebastian was picked up from school by an NYPD police car, then brought downtown to meet the Police Commissioner, ride an official NYPD horse and take a ride on an NYPD boat. It was an amazing day that was covered by media, culminating with Sebastain seeing his very own jail cell, and locking up his sisters! Â
What got you involved with the Women's Council after years of being a volunteer?Â
I have to credit Kelly Cromwell, my fellow volunteer and now friend, for referring me. I was seeking the opportunity to be part of something more than "just" a volunteer. What a great decision it was to join. I'm so proud of the events and fundraising we've accomplished, through our small but mighty panel of women. The group consists of wish moms, wish volunteers, business owners, professionals and more - all who, like me, want to give back and understand the power of a wish. We have become a family, and it's been such an honor to work with all of these amazing women. Â
How have you been able to use your own personal expertise to enhance wishes?Â
It's been my pleasure to parlay my professional background planning events, to help create impactful fundraising opportunities for the organization. Whether it be leaning on my amazing network of vendors/contacts to volunteer their services and expertise for events, fundraising and wish granting, to implementing new ways to fundraise and reach a broader audience, it's an honor to be able to support wherever/whenever I can. I'd be remiss not to mention my friend, Chef Harold Moore, who created an amazing fundraising campaign of donating ALL proceeds of his famous coconut cake to Make-A-Wish. Through this initiative, we sold over 300+ cakes, resulting in $30k for Make-A-Wish.Â
What would you tell people who are interested in getting involved with Make-A-Wish, but don't know where to start?Â
The great part of volunteering with Make-A-Wish, aside for the immense fulfillment you'll receive by being part of this great organization, is that you can choose the time commitment. The volunteering can be as easy as making a phone call to a family to the full experience of granting a wish. In the grand scheme of things, it's a small commitment for what you and the wish kid/families will receive as a result of it. Â
Is there anything else you would like to add about your involvement with Make-A-Wish?Â
It's been such a joy to be part of this organization. I've been fulfilled in so many ways- from meeting and developing relationships with wish kids and their families, the wonderful Make-A-Wish staff, and of course my fellow volunteers and Women's Council members, including my partner in crime, co-chair, Margie Tan. You will not regret taking that first step to being part of the Make-A-Wish network!Â