When Brian McMeans first joined the Make-A-Wish Illinois staff in April 2018, he had no idea just how deeply the experience would change his life. What began as a job quickly turned into something much more personal. After he left his staff position at the chapter, Brian continues his volunteer work for Make-A-Wish.

“I’d worked with kids before,” Brian recalled, “but being able to connect with them not just in a professional role but face-to-face, that’s where the magic really is.” His role as a volunteer brought a different kind of fulfillment. The relationships he built and the moments he witnessed reminded him every day why volunteering at Make-A-Wish was impactful.

“The roles are split out in a way that makes it easy to jump in and make an impact right away,” he says. In his first month, he was already making wishes come true. Over the years, he’s served more than 200 wish families across Illinois. Thanks to virtual engagement, he’s been able to reach families in less populated areas and children who might have had to wait were able to get started on their wish journeys with an experienced volunteer.

One story in particular left a lasting impact on Brian.

Eddie is a young boy with a big imagination. Eddie’s wish was to be an astronaut and eat ice cream on the moon. His mother Evelyn was experiencing many challenges, from Eddie’s health to his little brother Arthur’s own eligibility for a wish and their father's health issues. Brian helped bring Eddie’s dream to life by turning a trampoline park into a space adventure. The party room became the moon, Eddie wore his astronaut suit, and he and Arthur had a Nerf gun battle against alien actors.

“That family’s resilience, their imagination, it just stuck with me,” Brian says. “Eddie even framed his astronaut costume in his room. It wasn’t just a party. It was a memory that brought their family together.”

“You walk away with a sense of pure joy, peace even,” he explains. “Yes, some stories are incredibly sad, but the good, the beauty that comes from these moments, always outshines the sadness. It’s incredible.”

Brian was recently recognized with the 2025 Agile Award by Make-A-Wish Illinois. The Agile Award is presented to a volunteer who has shown tenacity and selflessness in jumping into wishes requiring timely effort and attention due to the wish complexity or medical urgency.  

When Brian heard he had received the Agile Award, “Grateful,” he says. “That’s the first word that comes to mind. It’s intimidating, to be honest. There are thousands of volunteers, and every single one plays a role in making these wishes come true.”

For Brian, the award is for the entire Make-A-Wish community. “I might be the one holding the award, but it represents all of us. Every staff member, every volunteer. We do this as a village.”

According to his nomination, Brian has stepped in on countless occasions to help discover wishes for kids that have been waiting a long time or have challenging situations. He is quick to meet with families and often helps them discover their wishes within days. While promptness is important, Brian also really takes the time to get to know the families and understand the child's heartfelt wish.

For Brian McMeans, volunteering isn’t just something he does on the weekends, it’s what drives him. The connections he’s made, the families lives he’s touched, and the joy he’s experienced all speak to the heart of what volunteering at Make-A-Wish is about.