CHICAGO - Every day, more children in Illinois are diagnosed with critical illnesses that would qualify them for Make-A-Wish. In fact, more than 112 wish children in Illinois are waiting today for volunteers to help grant their wishes. Start the year off by enriching your life and others through volunteering as a wish granter for children in your area.
From January 4- February 4, 2022, Make-A-Wish Illinois is conducting a wish-granting volunteer drive to help meet the need for wish-granting volunteers across the state of Illinois with wish granters needed in Madison, St. Clair, Jersey, and Clinton Counties. This includes a need for bilingual Spanish and English-speaking volunteers to grant wishes to assist families.
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Wish granters work with children with critical illnesses throughout their wish journey to help discover, plan and support the creation of their wish. Wishes are shown to give children a true boost in reducing hospitalizations, length of stay, compliance with treatment protocols, and boosting their overall resilience and mental health at a difficult time.
Wishes are happening now, and volunteers are needed in most Illinois communities to work with families following local, state, and CDC guidelines. To become a volunteer, the first step is to attend a Virtual Volunteer Orientation Session. Sign up at https://wish.org/illinois/our-events.
The next three scheduled Virtual Volunteer Orientation Sessions are:
Thursday, January 13th from 8:00-8:45 AM
Tuesday, January 25th from 5:00-5:45 PM
Wednesday, February 9th from 12:00-12:45 PM
Brian Vasquez has found being a Make-A-Wish volunteer for the last few years inspiring, helping him to appreciate the good things in his life.
“I have three healthy kids and as I read stories about what wish kids have overcome, I knew I could help,” Brian said. “I’m a fairly upbeat and positive person, so the thought of being able to put a smile on kid’s faces and provide hope was appealing to me.”
The anticipation of a wish can be the hope a child needs to get through another treatment, painful procedure or simply another day. Most importantly, wishes can improve a child’s quality of life. Wish granting volunteers work in teams of two to help a child discover the heart of their wish and, with support from Make-A-Wish staff, grant a life-changing wish with everlasting impact.
All Make-A-Wish volunteers must be over 21; complete an application, reference and background check; and attend a brief online training to begin granting wishes. For more information, contact talent@illinois.wish.org.
About Make-A-Wish Illinois
Make-A-Wish Illinois was founded locally in 1985 and has granted more than 16,000 wishes while continuing its mission to share the power of a wish® with children across the state. Supported by dedicated volunteers and generous community members, Make-A-Wish Illinois seeks to grant a wish to every child with an eligible condition because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. For information visit wish.org/Illinois.
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