“I thought, ‘I can’t do much, but I can do something’,” said Barbara, who began donating after she saw a segment about Make-A-Wish on television. “I’ve never had children of my own but I’ve always been fond of helping kids.”
“I have a family member who is wheelchair bound, both physically and verbally challenged, and there are so many kids who struggle with major health issues,” she continued. “I consider myself fortunate because of the life I’ve lived and where I am today, so now I want to do what I can to help the kids in my community.”
Barbara continued to donate to Make-A-Wish for many years, then she visited the Arizona chapter to learn more about the organization and meet the people who make wishes possible.
“I talked with Chief Development Officer Karny Stefan and she shared stories about her wish kids that almost brought tears to my eyes,” said Barbara, who also volunteers for Project Linus, making blankets for nursing homes. “I asked Karny if the children receive any kind of special gifts before their wishes and realized I can make my blankets for the wish kids, too.”
Over the past two years, Barbara has created more than 30 handmade blankets as enhancements for wish kids.
“I always use bright colors for the children, to make them smile,” she said. “I know it’s not a lot, but so many kids are hurting so bad that they aren’t always able to smile, and it makes me feel good to see their faces light up when they receive some good news.”
Barbara also has experienced the power of a wish first-hand.
“I met a young man who received a wish to have his car renovated. He’s an older teenager, but I watched him tear up and you could really see how much this meant to him. I also made a blanket for a girl who wished to have a new bedroom, and I think it’s special I could make something for her that’s now a part of her room,” she said.
“The wish kids and their stories are my favorite part and it’s why I do what I do,” she continued. “This good feeling I get from granting wishes makes me want to stay involved. I will continue to give back for as long as I can.”
As a member of our
Wishing Well Society, you provide much-needed funding that will be used to grant the wishes of Arizona kids battling critical illnesses.
It’s quick and easy – just select the amount you want to give and we’ll take care of the rest. A monthly pledge of $8 can help grant wishes for Arizona kids all year long.