Becky Imel began volunteering with Make-A-Wish in 2009 and has personally helped grant 250 wishes for children across North Texas. As a wish granter, Becky meets with newly-referred wish kids and their families to talk about their wish and explain Make-A-Wish in further detail.

Becky helps families feel comfortable, understood and hopeful – both for their upcoming wish and the journey that lies ahead of them. On average, each wish can take up to 10 hours of her time to grant. Her work with wish kids and their families sets the tone for their entire Make-A-Wish experience. She allows the child to dream and gives them the power to make a choice – their own choice – at a time when they have no control.

When she isn’t volunteering or spending time with her husband and three sons, you can find Becky at the hospital in her day job as a child life specialist in Amarillo. She has referred countless patients for wishes, proving that her profession of working with children going through difficult medical circumstances is not just a 9 to 5 role.

“I am thankful that my family supports me in granting as many wishes as I do,” she said. “They know when Mom is working with a wish family, and it enables me to continue to teach my family how blessed we really are.”

When the pandemic began, Becky championed the virtual wish interview process and helped others understand how to utilize it well. Since March 2020, she has conducted more than 100 interviews with wish children. She also developed training for new volunteers and enjoys mentoring other wish granters. Becky has lived out the motto that “all change doesn’t have to be bad” and taught us that we can always find new ways to carry out our mission.

“I love that I can serve more kids…I am able to interview from the comforts of my home and make a magical experience for kids who are hundreds of miles away. I have been blessed to work with many amazing wish granters along the way that share the same passion as I do to serve,” she shared.

Becky has worked tirelessly to ensure that even amidst difficult circumstances, there can still be hope. Her positive attitude and relentless dedication to making sure that each child is granted a meaningful wish is inspiring.

“Each wish is really unique to the child…During these last few years I have seen some creativity from scuba diving lessons, to home gym areas, to fun family trips. No wish family or experience is ever the same, which makes it fun,” she expressed.

Whether it be through Zoom, a birthday video message or just a text message, our wish children always feel extremely special when working with Becky during the wish discovery process. She forms deep connections with the families and helps discover heartfelt wishes that might not have been previously revealed.

“I believe Make-A-Wish has changed my life because it gives me opportunities to reflect and be thankful. It takes a lot to make a single wish come true – from donors, to events, to staff and wish granters. How cool is it to know you played a part in the magic of a wish?” she said.

Becky loves sharing the Make-A-Wish mission and encouraging others to help transform the lives of children with critical illnesses.

“Just do it, it will change your life. You can start with one wish, make it fun, and enjoy it,” she expressed. “You are what they need to make their wish happen. We don’t know the wish until you discover it.”

We’re incredibly thankful for Becky and her passion for making wishes come true! Learn more about joining our Make-A-Wish volunteer family here.