A teenagee with short curly brown hair, wearing a royal blue Make-A-Wish t-shirt, gray winter jacket and black athletic pants, smiles broadly. The teenager stands between two wish-granting volunteers in Best Buy's computer department. On the left, volunteer Timerra is wearing a royal blue Make-A-Wish beanie and a long black scarf. On the right, volunteer Millie is wearing a black and white patterned tunic and holding the receipt from the purchases made at Best Buy.

Volunteer Spotlight: Millie Thomas

Millie Thomas creates fun enhancements for wish kids

For Millie Thomas, the highlight of being a Make-A-Wish volunteer is witnessing the wish kid’s happiness and excitement when their wish is granted. 

“[Make-A-Wish is] an incredible organization that creates once-in-a-lifetime experiences for a child with a critical illness,” Millie said. “They go to great lengths to put the child’s well-being first. They make them feel like a celebrity.” 

Over the last seven years, Millie has served as a wish-granting volunteer with eight wish families, as well as supported Make-A-Wish events including helping with a Detroit Red Wings charity 50/50 raffle and working registration at Walk For Wishes® - Southeast Michigan. 

Wish kids are the coolest kids you will meet, and they never even complain. This puts your life into perspective and makes you come to the realization of how precious life can truly be.
Millie Thomas
wish-granting volunteer

Volunteers like Millie play a vital role leading up to a child’s wish to help bring anticipation and excitement to the wish kid during their wish journey. Wish-granting volunteers regularly provide a wish enhancement as a way to stay connected and keep the wish kid engaged with Make-A-Wish. Millie enjoys sending texts, cards, flower baskets and Edible Arrangements as her go-to wish enhancements to bring hope and joy to her wish kids. 

“Wish kids are the coolest kids you will meet, and they never even complain,” Millie said. “This puts your life into perspective and makes you come to the realization of how precious life can truly be. These kids will inspire you to do greatness!” 

Make-A-Wish Michigan is deeply grateful for Millie’s ongoing support and dedication to the Make-A-Wish mission and the more than 650 wish-granting volunteers throughout the state who help make wishes come true.

Would you like to make a difference in the lives of Michigan children with critical illnesses? Make-A-Wish Michigan is actively seeking volunteers throughout the state.

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