If you are looking for an organization to bring hope, strength, and joy back to both your life and a child’s life, Make A Wish is the organization for you. I have loved this organization for 15 years for a variety of reasons.
Beginning. For some background information, Make A Wish got its start in 1980. A little boy with leukemia wanted to become a policeman for a day. So, all his friends and local community did what it took to make his wish come true. And, it brought more joy to the little boy and his family at any time during his illness. That is how Make A Wish started. Granting the wish of just one small boy resulted in such tremendous benefits.
Mission. Make A Wish has a mission statement of..”Grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy.” From the smiles, twinkling eyes, and happy tears I have seen firsthand, I know that statement is being fulfilled.
Make A Wish now has 69 chapters. My firsthand experience ranges over three separate states. They have granted over 144,000 wishes during that time span. That is a very impressive number. Plus, they are the largest wish granting organization in the world.
Donations. Another nice thing about Make A Wish is the fact they operate entirely through the private donations and volunteer hours they receive throughout the year. It is important to note that they receive no governmental funding at all. To help lessen any cash expenses, they do accept donated goods and services.
Eligibility. In order to have a wish fulfilled, children must be in the 2-1/2 to 18 year old range. This age is of the referral date to Make A Wish (the date the child was referred to Make A Wish). To qualify for a wish, also, the child must not have received any prior wishes from any organization, including Make A Wish. Also, the child must have a physician certification stating the life-threatening illness or medical condition that exists.
Administrative. The administrative staff is always easy to work with. They are quick in responding to any questions. And, they are thorough. They do not leave any stone unturned and always look out for what is best for both their donors, their wish families, the community, and their volunteers. That is not an easy task. The Make A Wish Foundation administrative staff deserves a lot of credit for what they do.
Process. Volunteers known as Wish Granters are the liason between the Make A Wish administrative office and the wish families. Wish Granters work in teams and work with the wish families. Their main purpose is to find out what their assigned wish child wishes for. Wish Granters will ask their wish child:
If you had a wish to go anywhere, where would it be? (theme park, exotic beach, etc.)
If you had a wish to be anyone, who would it be? (firefighter, pilot, farmer, etc.)
If you had a wish to meet anyone, who would it be?
If you had a wish to have anything what would it be? (computers are popular here)
The Wish Granters then take the information and begin coordinating the details of fulfilling their wish child’s wish.
I have been a Wish Granter for 15 years with Make A Wish Foundation. I have so many wonderful, heart-warming stories to share. I have seen so many remarkable and joyous transformations. It is a total priviledge to be able to take children out of the realm of doctor’s offices, medical treatments, and hospitalization for a while and let them experience life. The smiles, giggles, joyful tears, and laughs alone are worth it.
Or, as Make A Wish will say….It is the Power of a Wish.
I cannot think of anything negative about Make A Wish Foundation.
