Volunteer Spotlight: Natalie Swanson

Meet Natalie! She has three dogs, is married to her best friend and her daughter attends TCU. Natalie has been aware of Make-A-Wish for more than 30 years but just recently joined our North Texas volunteer family. Her involvement with Make-A-Wish began when she was in high school. One of her best friends had her wish to go on the Oprah Winfrey Show granted

“I loved seeing the hope and joy she had when her wish was granted. Her parents seemed to relax a little bit and forget for a moment that their child was ill. They were so thankful and so grateful,” Natalie said.

When Natalie was in college, her brother was diagnosed with cancer. During this difficult season, her parents started the Children’s Cancer Fund of Dallas to help create a brighter future for kids with cancer, and Natalie began her philanthropic journey. After many years spent volunteering with her family's nonprofit, Natalie began to look for other ways to give back to children with critical illnesses, and she found Make-A-Wish.

“I remember the first wish I helped with before becoming an official wish granter - it was for a young lady from Arlington. Her wish was to go to Disneyland. During college break, my mom and I volunteered and bought Mickey Mouse sweatshirts for her and her siblings to wear on the plane to Orlando. I've always carried that memory with me,” Natalie said.

After that experience, Natalie decided to officially join our volunteer community and become a certified wish granter in December 2022. Her first wish discovery experience was with a young man who wished to go on a shopping spree at Grapevine Mills Mall. 

“Knowing that I can be a part of the hope that wishes bring to wish kids and their families brings me joy, peace, and gratitude,” Natalie said.

Currently, Natalie volunteers as a wish granter and an event volunteer. She also enjoys volunteering at the Make-A-Wish North Texas office in Addison as needed. Natalie is constantly contributing to the Make-A-Wish magic, and we're so thankful for her support!

“I just want to continue to be involved with Make-A-Wish and let everyone know the joy this organization brings to a kid's life. I get such joy from watching kids forget for a second that they are sick. Giving back is truly a gift, and I want to continue to give and enjoy it for years to come,” Natalie said.

If you want to contribute to Make-A-Wish like Natalie, learn more about our volunteer opportunities!