Our Make-A-Wish MacGyver

Whether it is swooping in to save ducks on a way to a wish visit, putting out a mall fire during a shopping spree, or simply stepping up to make magic happen, he is truly our Make-A-Wish MacGyver. 

Rob Cruser began volunteering with Make-A-Wish Oregon in 2001, and fell in love with the mission immediately.  

"I love working with kids and had developed good emotional coping skills from many years as a firefighter, so I figured it would be a good fit. I fell in love with the work immediately, and love the organization and the people in it more every year.” 

Since then, he’s helped grant many local wishes, including Caitlin’s wish to go to New York and dance with a principal male dancer. The local ballet dancer had performed her whole life, until a brain tumor slowed her down. 

On her wish trip, Caitlin spent time at the Joffrey School with other individuals who were training to be professional dancers. She went on to speak about the experience at a Make-A-Wish gala in the fall.   

“I was as proud of her as if she were my own daughter,” said Rob.  

"So many of my happiest, satisfying and most humbling moments have come from wish granting. It's every parents worst fear that something will happen to their kids and I've been very fortunate with mine, so I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to help in a way that really makes a difference.” 

Outside of wish granting, Rob volunteers at Make-A-Wish events and supports local wishes just about any way he knows how. We are so grateful for his continued, unwavering support.