What is Make-A-Wish?
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a non-profit organization that has been making dreams come true for children with critical illnesses for over 40 years. Make-A-Wish was founded in 1980 by a group of friends who wanted to help a 7 year old boy – Chris Greicius, who was suffering from leukemia, to fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer. The Phoenix community came together to make his wish come true!
Make-A-Wish has granted over 500,000 wishes to children in the United States and its territories since it’s beginning in 1980. The wishes range from meeting a celebrity, going on a dream vacation, receiving a special gift, or even becoming a superhero for a day. Make-A-Wish believes that a wish can be a powerful tool in helping children feel better, physically and emotionally, and can even improve their chances of recovery.
Response Crew Loves Working with Make-A-Wish!
We have been fortunate to work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation for several years. Recently we were invited by the director of projects at Make-A-Wish – Matthew Wall to tour the facility. I am not the type of person who gets emotional very fast, especially in front of complete strangers. This was very different. Hearing the stories and reading the wishes, I couldn’t hold back the tears.
Working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation has been one of the most rewarding experiences. Every job we’ve done, we have the privilege of witnessing the positive impact that our wishes have on children with critical illnesses and their families. It is an incredible feeling to know that we are making a difference in the lives of these children, bringing joy, hope, and a sense of normalcy during a difficult time.
How can you contribute?
Make-A-Wish relies on donations and volunteers to make wishes possible. Over 30,000 volunteers across the United States help with wish granting, fundraising, and administrative tasks. The impact of a wish goes beyond the child who receives it. Parents and siblings often report feeling a sense of relief and happiness seeing their loved one’s wish come true. Additionally, medical professionals also report that a wish experience can improve a child’s outlook on their illness and give them the strength to fight it. Making the wish come true can be a crucial turning point in the child’s road to recovery. A wish can be the spark that helps these kids believe that anything is possible and gives them the strength to fight harder!
To learn more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation and to donate visit Wish.org
