Make-A-Wish Illinois announces Corey Schieler of Normal as the recipient of the 2021 Exceptional Creativity Award for planning and executing an extraordinary, yet low-cost experience to enhance a child’s wish journey.

Last year when everything was shutting down and it became clear that travel wishes were going to be impacted, Corey got to work right away to let the wish kids he was working with know that Make-A-Wish was still there for them. 

For wish child Ramona, he created a digital storybook as a birthday present and to help her keep excited about her wish to visit New York City. Recovering from brain tumors, Ramona had been excited to spend her 9th birthday in the Big Apple, but like everyone else was spending that time at home. Titled “Ramona's Rambunctious Romp Through NYC,” Corey edited Ramona into many photos New York’s famous places, giving her book character a wild adventure. Ramona was thrilled and it was something fun to talk about in yet another period of uncertainty in her life.

This project is one of many ways Corey works to make each and every child’s wish journey special.

“I want to help families flip the narrative and have something positive to think about,” Corey says about his volunteer work. “I love seeing the world through a child’s eyes and understanding what motivates them so I can bring that to our visits together.”

Corey’s creativity means so much to the wish families he meets. His imaginative touches also inspires staff and fellow volunteers to try new ways of connecting with wish kids.

In addition to his creativity, Corey is an active member in his local community and often connects local businesses to his wish granting and fundraising efforts with Make-A-Wish. With all of that, it is the direct connection with families that he enjoys most.

“Being able to show up in my Make-A-Wish t-shirt and see the joy and smiles of the kids’ faces means the world to me.”