Teresa began volunteering with Make-A-Wish Minnesota in 2019 after seeing the joy her own son experienced through his wish. She also serves on staff as a Wish Coordinator. Gabby joined the staff in 2021 as the Volunteer Services Manager and became a volunteer herself to better understand the work she supports. 

Together, they served as Nash's wish granters. They met with Nash for his wish discovery, where his passion for his home state team was immediately evident to them. He shared his dream to meet the Minnesota Vikings and his favorite player, Justin Jefferson. 

Once his wish was approved, Teresa and Gabby created a special wish reveal, sending Nash a box of treats and Vikings themed surprises with a note that read, “Your wish is being granted!” Wish reveals are Teresa’s favorite part of volunteering: “The looks on their faces – amazing!” 

Leading up to wish day, they continued sending creative wish boosts that meant a great deal to Nash and his family. His mom shared, “They were so creative with their surprise boxes… They went out of their way to see us in the hospital and even remembering his birthday.” 

Nash’s wish day coincided with Walk For Wishes at the TCO Vikings practice facility. Teresa, Gabby, and event attendees lined the sidewalks to cheer on Nash and the other wish kids. “Seeing Nash arrive at Walk for Wishes as a large group of attendees cheered him and the other wish kids was lovely,” said Gabby. 

Teresa added that Nash and his family were “simply radiating joy and happiness – and their wish had hardly started yet!” 

Volunteers like Teresa and Gabby are the heart of Make-A-Wish. As Gabby reflected, “The magic of the wish is not just in the wish itself, but seeing the community come together to make it come true.”