Volunteer Jael Rodriguez has granted more than 30 wishes
Jael Rodriguez is an Arizona native who has always had a passion for volunteering and giving back to her community.
Autumn Woods is on a mission to make volunteering part of her story
Autumn Woods has a mission to make volunteering part of her story
Over the last 20 years, Autumn Woods has given back to her community in various ways. She’s served on boards, been a frontline service provider and worked with local organizations to uplift their mission.
“I was going through a lot of soul-searching,” Autumn said about the day she decided to volunteer with Make-A-Wish Arizona. “I took a step back and asked, ‘What were part parts of my life where I was happiest?’”
“When I started to reflect, I was the happiest giving back — making a difference, providing stability, offering solutions and options, bringing joy through volunteering.”
As she was driving home that same day, Autumn heard an ad on the radio from Make-A-Wish Arizona calling for WishMakers to help create life-changing wishes for critically ill children.
“That’s it,” she told herself. “That’s where I need to go.”
That was in October 2023. Today, being a WishMaker is now on top of Autumn’s list of ways to give back.
When I started to reflect, I was the happiest giving back — making a difference, providing stability, offering solutions and options, bringing joy through volunteering.
Autumn Woods
Make-A-Wish Arizona volunteer
One of Autumn’s favorite parts about being a WishMaker is the ability to offer families a respite from their tough medical journey throughout their wish – something she herself has experienced.
“Having been a parent who went through that with a kid over years is daunting and exhausting. It would have been great to have something to look forward to where I didn’t have to have a conversation about medical equipment or hospital stays,” Autumn said.
“That’s the part that gets me most excited – to bring that joy.”
Autumn is now working on 11 wishes and is eager to continue her volunteer work with Make-A-Wish Arizona.
For someone who is hesitant to volunteer, Autumn has one question: “What’s the better story?”
It’s the same question she asks herself every day.
“Five years from now, or 20 years from now, when faced with a fork in the road or an opportunity – what story do I have to tell?”
To Autumn, the better story is helping to create life-changing wishes.
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