Make-A-Wish Wyoming recently announced its 2025 Volunteer of the Year at its second annual Serving Up Wishes event in Cheyenne. Vickie Buckley, from Star Valley, received the award recognizing her important role in granting wishes for children across Wyoming battling critical illnesses. This year’s Volunteer of the Year is a celebration in conjunction with Make-A-Wish Wyoming’s 40^th anniversary.

Vickie has been a volunteer with Make-A-Wish Wyoming for five years and has helped grant 13 wishes. With previous volunteer experience making dreams come true with a nonprofit in Illinois, Vickie felt an immense calling to help kids in Wyoming receive their life-changing wishes when she and her husband moved to Wyoming after retiring.

“It’s been so fun being a volunteer for Make-A-Wish Wyoming. I know so many other volunteers around the state are deserving of this award; everyone works hard to make sure these kids have a good wish experience. However, I am grateful to have received this and thank Make-A-Wish for all they do,” says Vickie.

Volunteers are the backbone of making wishes come true, and after helping grant 13 wishes, Vickie says the best part is meeting each kid and their family. As a Make-A-Wish volunteer, Vickie participates in the dreaming process as kids brainstorm their wish ideas. Every family is different, and each kid is special, making the entire wish process unique. As she spends time with a wish family, Vickie makes mental notes on how to make the wish a unique celebration for every kid.

“A few years ago, I met Rose. She had cancer in her eye, and her wish was to go to Disney World. She just adored Cinderella, so when we had her wish celebration, I asked Rose to invite some friends and make sure they all dressed as their favorite princesses. As they were all sitting around a table, dressed as princesses, I brought Cinderella out. The look on their faces, especially Rose’s, was one of many memorable experiences I’ve had as a volunteer,” says Vickie. Read more about Rose’s wish story.

As a volunteer, Vickie’s time and unique talents are critical to bringing strength and hope to wish kids when they need it the most. She notes that no two wish kids are the same. Throughout the past five years, Vickie has seen wishes granted for truck restorations, trips to Disney World, and even a wish to see a real coconut (hello, trip to Hawaii!). Currently, Vickie is serving as the volunteer for Jace’s wish to go to Hawaii, which was revealed at the Serving Up Wishes event on April 12^th.

“It’s very rewarding to connect a wish family together so they can all participate in the child’s wish as one unit. When the kids find out their wish is granted, the smile that comes across their face is priceless. That’s why I’m here. It’s not what we give the kids, it’s what the kids give us in return,” says Vickie.

Since 1985, Make-A-Wish Wyoming’s volunteers have been at the heart of every wish. Whether you’re in Casper, Cheyenne, Crowheart, Star Valley, or any other communities in Wyoming, there are several volunteer opportunities to make a difference for wish children and their families. Make-A-Wish Wyoming invites you to share the power of a wish, whether you can give a few hours each month or a few days each year. Learn how to become a volunteer.