Providing sources of useful information and expertise to educate our community and connect people in need to available resources .
WHAT IS MAKE-A-WISH ?
The mission of Make-A-Wish is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses . Since our chapter ’ s inception in 1983 , we have fulfilled more than 20,500 wishes . One of the most active chapters in the country , our chapter has seven offices , located in Charleston and Morgantown , West Virginia , and Pittsburgh , Erie , Punxsutawney , York and Scranton , Pennsylvania . We serve 57 counties in Pennsylvania and all of West Virginia . Annually , our chapter grants nearly 500 wishes for these local children in need .
Referrals to our organization often come from the child ’ s medical team but can also come from a family member or even the child themselves . In order to qualify for a wish , children must be between the ages of 2.5 and 18 and meet our medical criteria established by our National Medical Advisory Council . Once a child qualifies , they meet with their volunteers to talk about options for their wish . Although a trip to the Walt Disney World ® Resort is our most popular wish to fulfill , it is by no means the only option . Wishes fall into one of five categories – to go , to have , to meet , to be , and to give . Each category has hundreds of opportunities and , with few parameters , are limited only by the imagination of the child .
Children are energized by a wish . They can anticipate , describe , imagine , plan and eventually rejoice in its fruition . In granting a child ’ s wish , Make-A-Wish provides children and their families with a chance to forget about the pain and fear caused by an illness , and to instead focus on the joy and hope of having a wish granted .
In 2022 , a study commissioned by Make-A-Wish America provided data that backed up our belief that the impact of a wish is life-changing . Based on the results of the survey and analysis conducted by an independent consulting firm , a wish has proven to be a powerful force in a child ’ s battle against a critical medical condition . The impact it can have is far-reaching and stronger than we could have imagined . A wish can increase hope , joy , confidence and quality of life , can serve as a coping mechanism , can strengthen relationships with loved ones and help to overcome traumatic stress , hopelessness and depression .
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A WISH GRANTING VOLUNTEER ?
As a member of the wish team , the wish granting volunteer meets with the family to help the wish child determine their wish . After the child qualifies , a pair of wish-granting volunteers is assigned , and these volunteers act as a liaison between Make-A-Wish staff and the family . As a volunteer , you have the chance to brainstorm wishes with the child and help see it to fruition . Each wish is unique to the family and to the volunteers .
Wish granting volunteers may meet with the family either virtually or in-person . This decision is based on the family ’ s preference and availability . We ask that all volunteers be comfortable with both options , as it can sometimes be in the child ’ s best interest medically to meet virtually . A wish is most meaningful , powerful and beneficial when it is used in conjunction with a medical treatment plan , so it is possible that they may be in an extended stay at the hospital and want to meet with the volunteers while they are there . The virtual option allows us to bring the joy to them wherever they are .
Katherine Reim , a long-time volunteer and Erie resident , had this to say about her experience with Make-A-Wish :
“ Volunteering for Make-A-Wish is so rewarding . When you ask a child what their dream may be , they light up ! Thinking about their wish helps them get through the challenges of treatment and , as a volunteer , makes me light up , as well !”
Kathy Harrington , a newer volunteer with Make-a-Wish , shared her initial experiences :
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