Volunteer

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How do I become a volunteer?

In order to provide the wish children and their families with the best experience possible, we require potential volunteers to:

  1. Watch the Volunteer Introduction video below and then fill out this volunteer questionnaire. 
    After you submit your online questionnaire, please allow up to two weeks to receive a response from our chapter.
  2. Complete a volunteer interview phone call.
  3. Attend specialized training for certain volunteer positions (i.e. Wish Granting, etc.)
  4. Complete a background check (not applicable for one-time event volunteers)
Volunteer introduction video

Volunteer types

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. 

 

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. 

 

Office Volunteer

Assist with various projects at our chapter office, including phone calls, mailings and research. 

Events Volunteer

Plan, organize and implement successful fundraising events by working on committees, helping on event day and/or participating in the event. 

Skill-Based Volunteer

Use your professional skills and knowledge on an as-needed basis to provide much-needed skills such as assisting with clerical work in our office, graphic design, photography, wish story writing and more. 

Wish Family 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. 

Why do I need a background check?

Due to the nature of our work, select volunteer positions must successfully complete a criminal background check every 3 years. Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia does not employ or utilize as a volunteer any individual who has been convicted of a crime that (a) victimizes children, (b) is sexual in nature, or (c) involves violence, fraud, or significant theft. We do ask our volunteers to cover the cost of their background check. Your background check will last for three years. Please contact us with any questions related to past convictions and/or our background check screening process.

Can anyone be a volunteer?

Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia requires that all volunteers be 18 years or older. Students in K-12 that are interested in volunteering for the Foundation should check out our Kids for Wish Kids® program and or review options by clicking here.

We are currently looking for volunteers who speak both English and Spanish. Our local Make-A-Wish chapter serves a large percentage of Spanish speaking and we do not have enough Spanish speaking volunteers to meet our wish family's needs. If you are fluent in both English and Spanish, please consider becoming a wish granting volunteer.