Volunteer
We asked volunteers and staff at Make-A-Wish San Diego to share their "Why" on being involved and here is what they shared.
Our volunteer application is currently closed and will reopen in July 2026.
Why Volunteer with Make‑A‑Wish?
Volunteers are at the heart of every wish. As a Make‑A‑Wish volunteer, you’ll help bring hope, strength, and joy to children with critical illnesses—and be part of a caring community that transforms lives.
Our Volunteer Application Process
Getting started is simple:
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Apply online
Complete and submit the volunteer application. -
Interview
Applications are reviewed by our Volunteer Manager. Based on current needs, selected applicants will be invited to a one‑on‑one interview. -
Complete screening
After the interview, volunteers complete required paperwork, including a criminal background check. -
Attend training
Wish Granters and Wish Greeters attend a role‑specific training before participating in wish activities. -
Welcome to Make‑A‑Wish San Diego!
You’re officially part of our volunteer community and ready to help grant wishes.
Eligibility Requirements
- Volunteer opportunities are for adults 18+
- Wish Granters must be 21+
- Screening interview and background check required
- Individuals under 18 are encouraged to explore our Kids For Wish Kids program
As a member of a wish team, wish granters meet with the family, help the wish child determine the wish and act as a liaison between Make-A-Wish staff and the wish family during the wish process. Wish granters must be a minimum of 21 years old. Attendance at an in-depth training session is required. This role requires signing up for a minimum of two wishes per year.
All About Being a Wish Granter:
Wish Greeter Volunteer
Wish greeters meet and welcome families arriving in San Diego for their wish at the airport, their hotel, or over the phone. These volunteers assist arriving wish families with baggage or finding their rental car when meeting them at the airport and often make the experience magical with a handmade welcome sign for the wish child. This role requires signing up for a minimum of four wish greets per year.
Las Estrellas - Spanish Speaking Wish Granters
The Las Estrellas group was created to help grant high-quality wishes to Spanish-speaking families. This group is made up of bilingual Wish Granters who have a desire to serve this community within our Make-A-Wish family.
We are currently looking for Spanish-speaking Wish Granters to join our Las Estrellas sub-group. The mission of this group is to build community with one another and in return, provide a positive experience for our wish families and Wish Granters during the process of a wish.
Requirements:
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Fluent in English and Spanish
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Attend our 2-3 meetings a year
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Come prepared to learn, have fun and celebrate together!
Prospective volunteers interested in joining Make-A-Wish or Las Estrellas can contact Lauren Rigby at lrigby@sandiego.wish.org to get started.
Current volunteers may reach out to Sofia Besneirigoyen, Bilingual Wish Manager, at sbesne@sandiego.wish.org for more details.
Volunteer Board Member
Join a caring community of volunteers who transform lives. Together, we can make countless wishes come true.
Your time and unique talents are critical to bringing strength and hope to wish kids when they need it the most. In fact, our volunteers are at the heart of every wish experience.
Make-A-Wish volunteers consider their work impactful and meaningful. And, their efforts are rewarded—not in dollars or cents, but in the incredible difference they make in the lives of our wish kids. Volunteers even have the freedom to choose when and how they would like to help transform lives in our community.
We understand that you want to volunteer but might not know where your skills and talents best lie. Check out our volunteer opportunities and see where you can best help make wishes come true.