What Our Volunteers Do

What Do Our Volunteers Do? 

More than 700 volunteers in the Mid-Atlantic area generously give their time and talents to Share the Power of a Wish^®. There are volunteer opportunities in the Headquarters office in Bethesda, as well as our Regional Offices in Baltimore and Wilmington.

Here are ways YOU can get involved...

Wish-Granting Volunteer
Work in teams of two with wish children and their families to help make wishes come true. This involves conducting an initial interview with the family to determine the child’s wish, working with Make-A-Wish^® staff to help fulfill the wish and throwing a wish party for the child when the wish is granted. Make-A-Wish staff will handle the major details of the wish. We ask volunteers to be the direct point of contact with the family, and most importantly, to keep the child excited about the wish prior to its granting! This is a long term volunteer opportunity. Time commitment depends on the type of wish you are working on and how many at one time. The wish interview and granting almost always take place in the evening or on a weekend. You schedule this with the family and your wish partner. Flexibility in your evening and weekend schedule is fairly important.

Wish-granting volunteers must be at least 21 years of age and have reliable transportation. Also required are a signed Conflict of Interest/Ethics Agreement (annual), cleared background check and a one-day training session. Volunteers are asked to complete at least four wishes per year. Background checks must be updated every three years.

Bilingual Interpreters (Spanish/Arabic/Urdu/Mandarin/Cantonese needed)
Help to facilitate wish experiences for non-English speaking families. Interpreters have the option of becoming fully trained Wish-Granting Volunteers, or they can provide short-term support on an as-needed basis. Must be 21 years of age and requires a signed Conflict of Interest/Ethics Agreement (annual) and cleared background check.

Office Volunteer
Answer the phones, greet guests, help with administrative tasks and special projects.
Must be 18 years of age and requires a signed Conflict of Interest/Ethics Agreement (annual) and cleared background check.

Wish Story Writer
Do you enjoy creative writing? Are you searching for a rewarding volunteer opportunity you can complete from the comfort of your own home or office, on your own schedule? As a Wish Story Volunteer, you will call families after the wish has been completed for evaluation and storytelling purposes. During your conversations with the wish families, you will gather magical details about their wish experience and craft captivating stores. The Foundation will utilize their stories you create in many significant ways; recognizing donors who sponsor a wish, highlighting wishes on our Web site and marketing to thousands of potential donors. Must be 18 years of age and requires a signed Conflict of Interest/Ethics Agreement (annual) and cleared background check.

Fundraiser/Special Events Volunteer
Each year the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of the Mid-Atlantic produces special events to raise funds and promote awareness in the community. These events include a Walk For Wishes^®, golf tournaments, triathlons and more. Assignment locations, days and times vary depending on the event, but are usually for several hours on one day. The minimum age for volunteers is 14 years old and varies by event. Learn more about Make-A-Wish Special Events here.

Wish Assist Phone Greeter - Bethesda Office only
The opportunity to make an impact in the life of a child is only a phone call away! You can become part of the magic of a wish experience for children from around the country as they come to our area to have their heartfelt wishes granted. As a Wish Assist Greeter you will be the friendly voice for children and their families visiting our Nation’s Capital. Must be 18 years of age and requires a signed Conflict of Interest/Ethics Agreement (annual) and cleared background check.

Interns
Each semester, select college students have the opportunity to work and learn in our offices. Learn more about our internship program.

Kids For Wish Kids^®
Encourage kids to give back to their peers by participating in our Kids For Wish Kids program. This wonderful initiative encourages children to raise funds for wishes in creative ways.

Wishmakers On Campus^®
A fundraising program designed for college organizations, such as student governments, athletic teams and Greek organizations, interested in contributing some of their time and energy to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Miscellaneous
Do you have professional skills you would like to share with the Foundation? For example, we often need professional photographers for our events. We also need professional interior designers to assist with room makeover wishes. Do you have grant-writing experience? We’d love to talk with you.

Click here to begin the process of becoming a Make-A-Wish Volunteer.