Volunteer

En Español

Su tiempo y talentos únicos son imprescindibles para dar ánimo y esperanza a los niños de deseo cuando más lo necesitan. De hecho, nuestros voluntarios están al centro de cada experiencia del deseo y ¡Ahora más que nunca necesitamos voluntarios!

Haz clic aquí para aprender cómo puedes ser voluntario (nota:esta página está en español)

Introduction

Join a caring community of volunteers who transform lives. Together, we can make countless wishes come true.

Your time and unique talents are critical to bringing strength and hope to wish kids when they need it the most. In fact, our volunteers are at the heart of every wish experience and we need volunteers now more than ever!

Make-A-Wish volunteers consider their work impactful and meaningful. And, their efforts are rewarded—not in dollars or cents, but in the incredible difference they make in the lives of our wish kids. Volunteers even have the freedom to choose when and how they would like to help transform lives in our community.

We understand that you want to volunteer but might not know where your skills and talents best lie. Check out our volunteer opportunities and see where you can best help make wishes come true.

Wish Granter

Work with a partner to meet with wish kids and their families to help determine their heartfelt wishes, and then work with our staff to make those wishes a reality.

Requirements: Completion of "Wish Granting 101" Orientation, volunteer application, background check, phone interview and completion of a wish-granter training session.

Translator/Interpreter

Help facilitate wish experiences for non-English-speaking families. Translators attend wish visit and phone calls, but they are not directly involved in planning wishes. We especially need bilingual volunteers who speak both English and Spanish.

Events Volunteer

Plan, organize and implement successful fundraising events by working on committees, helping on event day and/or participating in the event.
Requirements: This opportunity is available in Western Washington only. Completion of volunteer application

Skill-Based Volunteer

Use your professional skills and knowledge on an as-needed basis to provide much-needed skills such as reading and writing in multiple languages, graphic design, photography, skilled trades and more.

Wish Ambassador Speaker’s Bureau Volunteer

Present key information and share stories about Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington to increase support and educate audiences on our mission. This volunteer position is best suited for individuals over the age of 21 with flexible schedules and a knack for public speaking,

Wish Family Alumni Ambassador

Open to wish alumni and their families, represent Make-A-Wish at a number of external outreach and fundraising events to share your wish experience.

Ribbons & Bows Volunteer

Volunteers purchase items from a personalized gift list for a wish child and return the gifts to any of our office locations. Ribbons & Bows donations range from $50 - $500 and are tax deductible. This volunteer role is best suited for workplaces and groups to help with wishes, or for individuals looking for a flexible time and financial commitment.

Airport Greet Volunteer

Volunteers go to the airport to send wish kids off on their trips, welcome them home, or welcome them to town from somewhere else for their wish. This is a great opportunity for all adults as well as school-aged children. We are especially in need of airport greeters in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Seattle.

Interns

Students gain valuable insights into the workplace and the innerworkings of a nonprofit. Internships are non-paid and are available in special events, communications, marketing, graphic design, accounting, development and the wish department. For more information about our Internship program and how to apply, please contact Volunteer Manager.

Volunteers with wish kid Tyson

Volunteers with wish kid Noelia

Volunteers with wish kid Khalel

Become a volunteer today!

Wish-granting volunteers work in teams of two to help plan and fulfill a child’s wish. Each wish is as unique as the child who dreams it, so the level of volunteer commitment varies from wish to wish. Training is online and on-demand, and volunteers choose the wishes that best fit into their schedule. This volunteer position is best suited for those over the age of 21 with creative energy and entrepreneurial enthusiasm.

You can become a wish-granting volunteer in a few easy steps:

Review the volunteer opportunities available.
Email the Volunteer Coordinator with your city and state, and the type of volunteer opportunities that interest you.
Complete the Volunteer Application sent to you. Upon completion of your application, we can register you for our training. You also have the option to schedule a phone call with a Make-A-Wish staff member to answer any questions you have about becoming a volunteer.
Complete the 35 minute wish-granting online training.
Complete the required online background check conducted by our trusted third-party vendor. Background checks are necessary due to the nature of our work. The fee is $27.53 and if you are unable to cover costs, Make-A-Wish will pay for it. We do ask for your help in keeping our chapter operational expenses lower to stretch our dollars and support more wishes.

Ready to get started? Watch our Volunteer Opportunities video and then email Lindsey Goss with your name and city to move forward to the next steps.

Volunteer Satisfaction Survey

We strive to provide an exceptional experience to our volunteers because we can't do this important work without them!

That's why we survey our volunteers after every wish they helped us to grant. Those results are part of our continual process improvement. You can view our most recent volunteer satisfaction survey below.

FY 23 Volunteer Satisfaction Survey

Make-A-Wish^® Alaska & Washington

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