For the past several months the Connecticut chapter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation has succeeded in engaging medical professionals and social workers across Connecticut.  The result is a dramatic increase in referrals of children with life-threatening medical conditions. In Fiscal Year 2009 we had 181 referrals and granted 130 Wishes. In 2010 we had 205 referrals and granted a record 150 Wishes.   Six months into Fiscal Year 2011 we already have 141 referrals and are on pace to grant at least 165 Wishes. 

If you are interested in actively granting Wishes and can find a little bit of extra time to help another child, our kids need you now more than ever.

The recruitment and training of new Wish Granting Volunteers is a top priority for the Chapter. We have completely revised our training process, making full use of online resources and webinars so that volunteering is easier and more convenient for everyone.  We have a new “class” of volunteers who will be trained and joining our ranks in April. In addition, we are conducting monthly trainings so that we can expand our “army” of Wish Granters to 300 by the end of the year.

Please contact Cheryl Bieling, Volunteer Services Manager at 203.880.6965 or Cheryl@ct.wish.org to become a volunteer and help to grant wishes to Connecticut kids. And ask a friend to join you so that you can share the joy of wish-granting with them!