Wish Kids Need Local Volunteers

For just a few hours a month, you can build joy that lasts a lifetime for children in your community fighting critical illnesses. Make-A-Wish Illinois looking to recruit more than new WishMakers in the south suburbs to serve as wish celebration volunteers, working directly with families to transform lives through wishes.

Working in pairs, wish celebration volunteers partner to establish a meaningful connection with the wish child and family, building hope and anticipation leading up to the child’s wish. Working with staff and generous local donors and businesses, these volunteers plan and carry out meetings, boosts, and send-offs or parties for their assigned wish kids.

Join on your own or double the impact by registering with a friend to share this life-changing experience together. Make-A-Wish provides training and ongoing guidance as well as the opportunity to network with other volunteers. For just a few hours a month, you can craft joy that lasts a lifetime.

To become a volunteer, visit wish.org/illinois/friend to get started today with four easy steps. All Make-A-Wish volunteers must be over 18, complete an application and background check, and attend an orientation. Additional training may be required for other roles. For more information, contact talent@illinois.wish.org.

“A wish is not just a moment or a gift, it is an important journey together to build everlasting hope, strength, and joy for a wish child,” said Stephanie Springs, chief executive officer for Make-A-Wish Illinois. “Each wish experience is carefully planned, tailored to each individual, helping them replace fear with confidence, sadness with joy and anxiety with hope. Wish celebration volunteers are an important part of the overall experience for our families.”

There are currently more than 1,300 wish children in some stage of wish planning with Make-A-Wish Illinois; children facing the isolation, anxiety and depression of a critical illness – children who shouldn’t have to wait even one unnecessary day for the life-changing impact of a wish. Become a WishMaker today and get started on bringing their wishes to life!

In addition to helping wish kids, you may also be helping your own well-being when you volunteer. Research shows that there are great benefits to those who give their time. Improved physical and mental health, a sense of purpose and nurturing new and existing relationships are all positive outcomes reported by those who volunteer.

Make-A-Wish® creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illness. Since being founded locally in 1985, Make-A-Wish Illinois has granted more than 18,000 wishes and continues to share the power of a wish® with children with community and volunteer support. For information or to get involved, visit wish.org/illinois.