South Carolina Volunteer Receives National Award from Make-A-Wish America

Myrtle Beach resident, Anthony Guidice, named the 2023 recipient of the Suzie Allen Volunteer of the Year Award by Make-A-Wish® America.

On November 15, 2023, South Carolina resident and Make-A-Wish volunteer, Anthony Guidice, was recognized for his service with a national award. Anthony was selected to receive the Suzie Allen Volunteer of the Year Award from Make-A-Wish America. He was chosen from 58 chapters nationwide where Make-A-Wish has more than 24,000 volunteers nationwide.

Anthony was co-nominated by the South Carolina chapter and the Hudson Valley chapter. The Suzie Allen Volunteer of the Year award, bestowed by Make-A-Wish America, honors a chapter volunteer that embodies the spirit of volunteerism and has served as a source of inspiration for fellow volunteers, wish families, and Make-A-Wish staff. The recipient promotes a sense of community while serving as an ambassador and goes above and beyond in all aspects of volunteering for Make-A-Wish.  Wishes bring renewed energy and hope and hope is essential in child’s fight for wellness. Volunteers are vital in a wish journey.

Anthony has been a volunteer with Make-A-Wish for 24 years, inspired by the wish journey of his cousin Shawn, who received a wish before his passing in 1996. Since that time, he has been the living embodiment of that award. He began volunteering with Make-A-Wish® Hudson Valley when he lived in New York. He helped grant 78 wishes with the Hudson Valley chapter while living in the area and has granted more than 120 wishes with the South Carolina team since moving to Myrtle Beach, contributing upwards of $31,000 in personal donations along the way. Anthony has served as a wish granter, Volunteer Leader, and an event volunteer, often driving four or more hours to volunteer at an event. Even today, he continues to reach families in need, regardless of geography, in his capacity as a virtual volunteer, including the Hudson Valley chapter. It is this type of innovative volunteerism that truly helps us reach every eligible child.

Matthew Wall, volunteer manager for Make-A-Wish South Carolina shared, “I know I can always count on Anthony to help when needed, to enthusiastically see a wish through, and to keep the heart of Make-A-Wish at the forefront of any conversation. I learn from him, not only how to be a better wish granter, but also how to be a better human.”

“Our chapter could not be prouder to present the Suzie Allen Volunteer of the Year Award to Anthony on behalf of the enterprise,” said Misty Farmer, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish South Carolina. “We often marvel at how he goes above and beyond to create incredible wish journeys for wish kids. He truly understands just how impactful a wish can be and gives so much of himself to make sure that families who need hope, strength and joy receive a life-changing experience. We thank Anthony from the bottom of our hearts.”

Learn more about Make-A-Wish and how to become a volunteer by visiting wish.org/sc.

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ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH

Make-A-Wish® creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are on a quest to bring every eligible child's wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. The chapter receives funding through private donations, individuals, companies, and special events. For more information about Make-A-Wish South Carolina, visit wish.org/sc and discover ways you can help make wishes come true.