Make-A-Wish Foundation Host Annual Wish Granter Trainings
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties needs more volunteer wish granters, particularly Spanish speakers, to make wishes come true. The annual six hour training for Wish Granters is now open for enrollment. New Wish Granters Training will be held in Santa Barbara on March 19, in Nipomo on April 2 and in Camarillo on June 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A volunteer application, completed background check and class registration is due one week before the training.
“When a child is seriously ill, the whole family is affected. The focus is often on medical treatments and hospital visits, rather than the carefree joys of childhood. Other children in the family sometimes feel forgotten. Vacations and ordinary family fun activities are often put on hold. But the need for joy is still there… and perhaps more important than ever. Wish Granters are the heart of the Foundation. They meet with the wish child and their family to learn the heartfelt wish of the child. ” says Shanna Wasson Taylor, CEO.
Wish Granters go out in teams of two to work with the wish family. This position requires a strong commitment to the mission of the Foundation and a broad set of skills that cross into several areas including: fund development,finance, wish granting, and communications. Maturity, compassion, strong communication skills – particularly with children, positive attitude, ability to be resourceful, creative and reliability are absolutely essential. The amount of time required to fulfill a wish varies, depending on the child’s wish and the amount of preparation the volunteer needs to create the magic for each wish. Wish Granters must have dependable transportation.
For additional information go to http://tri-counties.wish.org/ways-to-help/volunteer-time-and-talents/ call 676-9474 or send an e-mail to jboehrer@tri-counties.wish.org.
ABOUT THE MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION: The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. With a staff of only four and the help of more than 150 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties has granted over 1000 special wishes to children in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. If you want to refer a child to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, call 1-888-899-9474 [WISH]. Donations may be sent to Make-A-Wish at 4222 Market Street, Suite D, Ventura, CA 93001. To donate your vehicle or your airline miles call 676-9974. For more information on these or other ways to help visit our website at: www.tri-counties.wish.org.