For 25 years, Tara Anderson has been bringing wishes to life across South Dakota. Her journey with Make-A-Wish began in 2000 following a deeply personal connection – her college classmate (and future brother-in-law) Chris had been South Dakota's 300th wish recipient. After witnessing firsthand how the organization brought joy and hope during Chris's illness, Tara knew she wanted to create that same experience for others.

After Chris passed away, she attended a fundraiser with his family and was deeply touched by how they were embraced. "I can still remember Mary Olinger and Bill Janklow talking with us in the basement of that building. They took so much time for the Andersons and truly made them feel like family. It was then that I knew that I wanted to recreate that feeling for others." Through the years, Tara has watched wish granting transform from a simple fulfillment of dreams to a journey filled with precious moments. She cherishes how wish granters now create ongoing connections through wish boosts and reveals, building excitement throughout the entire experience. One particularly memorable wish was for a young girl named Ivory. When the progression of Ivory's cancer prevented her preferred wish from being granted, Tara and fellow volunteer Gerry Likness organized a special shopping spree with gifts and treats.

As a mother of four and a teacher, Tara carries the courage of her wish children into her daily life. "I frequently think of my past and present wish kids and the struggles they endure daily. It's incredibly inspiring and reminds me that we can all do hard things when faced with challenges beyond our control." The perspective gained from these brave children has been one of her greatest gifts – a reminder that health is precious and ordinary troubles pale in comparison to what these families face with such grace. When stepping into a wish child's home for the first time, Tara's approach is all heart. "I hate making a wish visit feel like an interview. I really just want to get to know the wish child and the family as people." This genuine connection leads to magical moments, like when she surprised a teenage boy at his aunt's restaurant with State Snow Queens and local reporters before revealing his Disney trip. The look of overwhelming joy on his face is etched in her memory. After countless wishes, what keeps Tara returning year after year, wish after wish? "Obviously, the kids," she shares.

In a world that often moves too quickly, Tara has spent 25 years pausing to create moments that matter. Her legacy isn't measured in years but in smiles sparked, hopes rekindled, and families embraced during their most challenging journeys. Through her compassionate heart and steady presence, she reminds us that sometimes the greatest gift we can give is simply being there – ready to help turn wishes into memories that outlast even the darkest days.