For 15 years, Laurie Danforth has been weaving magic into the lives of wish children and their families across South Dakota and Montana. Her journey with Make-A-Wish began long before she became a formal volunteer as a nurse at Brown Clinic under Dr. Likness. During home visits with terminally ill children, she discovered that some of her young patients had been granted wishes through Make-A-Wish.

This glimpse into the profound impact wishes could have on families planted the seeds for what would become a decade and a half of extraordinary service. What sets Laurie apart is her unique dual perspective – understanding both the medical journey these children face and witnessing firsthand the transformative power of joy and hope that wishes bring to families navigating their darkest hours. Her nursing background gave her a heart of compassion that naturally extends to every aspect of her volunteer work.

Throughout her time with Make-A-Wish, Laurie has embraced every volunteer opportunity available. She's served as an airport greeter, wish granter, wish booster, hotel room decorator, event coordinator, and co-chair of the Northeast area annual event for many years. Despite this extensive involvement, she maintains remarkable humility about her contributions.  

When asked to share memorable wish experiences, Laurie struggles to choose favorites. However, two stories particularly highlight the ripple effects wishes create for families and their communities.

The first involves Crue, a young boy with Sanfilippo disease whose family's life had become entirely structured around medical appointments, research, and the heartbreaking uncertainty of not knowing how long they would have with their son. When Crue's Disney wish was granted, his grandparents paid their own way to join the family trip. It was Crue's grandmother who approached Laurie afterward, tears streaming down her face, saying, "We didn't know how much our family needed this." The wish provided more than just joy, it offered respite from the constant weight of medical concerns, allowing the family to simply be together without the pressure of insurance calls and appointment schedules.

The second story shows Laurie's patience and deep understanding of family dynamics. Jordan's family initially felt hesitant about accepting a wish, believing it wasn't appropriate since they could provide for Jordan's needs themselves. Rather than pushing, Laurie took time to gently educate emphasizing that wishes aren't about what families have or don't have financially, they're about giving critically ill children experiences that transcend their medical journey. Her thoughtful follow-ups eventually led to a trip to California where Jordan met his favorite band.

Laurie has witnessed Make-A-Wish's significant evolution from serving only terminally ill children to including those with critical illnesses.  

"It has widely impacted families knowing their child has a critical illness but does not have to be diagnosed as terminal to benefit from Make-A-Wish," she shares. This change has profoundly affected her work as well, knowing that when she's assigned a wish child, that child may go on to live a full life.  

The ongoing connections Laurie maintains with wish families speak to the lasting bonds created through the wish experience. She regularly receives high school graduation announcements from wish alumni who remember her as part of their wish team. At events, former wish children approach her for photos, their parents wanting to capture the moment with someone who helped create such meaningful memories. One particularly heartwarming ongoing relationship involves Mariah, who returns year after year to sell raffle tickets at Make-A-Wish events, enthusiastically persuading people to buy more with infectious charm.

The connections she's formed with families bring her great joy and witnessing how families navigate their children's illnesses has deepened her appreciation for health, resilience, and the power of community support.

"It has made me believe how incredibly fortunate I am to have three healthy kids. It also makes one realize how simple a wish can be to make a difference in a child's life."  

Her advice to new volunteers reflects both her experience and her generous spirit: "Volunteer for as many wishes and events that work for you. Learning from all MAW volunteers never stops. No question is a dumb question. Share input. There are always new ways to do things, and having new volunteers is heartwarming."

As Laurie looks toward the future, her commitment remains unwavering, though she's learning to balance her enthusiasm with realistic boundaries.  

What makes Laurie's 15-year journey so remarkable isn't just the countless hours she's dedicated or the numerous roles she's filled – it's the consistency of compassion she brings to every interaction. Whether greeting families at airports, decorating hotel rooms, or sitting with a child to understand their wish, she approaches each opportunity with the same heart that first drew her to Make-A-Wish.

In a world that can often feel disconnected, her story reminds us that when we speak of helping children, people do indeed step up and when they step up with the grace, persistence, and joy that Laurie has brought to Make-A-Wish for 15 years, magic happens.