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Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. The New Jersey Chapter, founded in 1983, serves the entire state of New Jersey.
The MAW all started with one boy's wish to be a police officer and it has eclipsed into an international phenomenon. My work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey is first and foremost as a Wish Granter. I am part of a team of two people who travel to the wish child's home to meet with them and their family in order to ask the child one very important question, "If you could have one wish, what would it be?"
THE MISSION
THE FIRST WISH
All his life, Christopher Greicius dreamed of becoming a police officer. But he couldn't know that his wish would be the inspiration for the largest wish-granting organization in the world. In 1980, 7-year-old Chris was being treated for leukemia. Every day, he dreamed of becoming a police officer. U.S. Customs Officer Tommy Austin had befriended Chris and his mother and on April 28, 1980 he and a caring group of DPS personnel started Chris' day with a tour of the city in a department helicopter, he was then sworn in as the first honorary DPS patrolman in state history, he was given his very own custom-tailored DPS uniform and was given a motorcycle proficiency test so he could earn wings to pin on his new uniform. Needless to say, Chris passed with flying colors on his battery-operated motorcycle. On May 2, Chris was back in the hospital. He asked to arrange the room so he could always see his uniform, his motorcycle helmet and his “Smokey Bear”-style campaign hat. DPS motor officer Frank Shankwitz presented Chris with his motorcycle wings. He accepted them with a smile that lit up the room. The following day, Chris passed away, but not before seeing his dream come true and experiencing the hope, strength and joy that came from receiving his wish. HOW WISHES ARE GRANTED
There are 4 steps to granting a wish. Each builds upon the next. As a Wish Granter I see first-hand how it is such a source of inspiration for children undergoing difficult medical treatments. It helps to provide a positive force that actually helps them overcome their obstacles.Step 1: Referrals from medical professionals, parents, family friends, etc. Potential wish children must be between the ages of 2 1/2 and 18-years-old and have not received a wish from another wish-granting organization.
Step 2: Medicial Eligibility is determined with the help of the treating physician. The child must be diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition (a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that has placed the child's life in jeopardy).
Step 3: Finding the true wish is where MAW volunteers come in such as myself as a Wish Granter. We meet with the child and his/her family to connect with them, build a relationship, and explore the child's one true wish.
Step 4: Creating joy as a Wish Granter allows me to create an unforgettable experience for the child. The team in the office does all the work of making that experience come true. And funding from citizens, companies, etc. are who fund the actual wish. It's truly an incredible experience that enriches not just the lives of the children and their families, but often an entire community.
To learn more about referring a child who lives in the United States, please click on this link to locate your nearest MAW chapter. http://wish.org/
If you would like to learn more about referring a child residing outside the United States, please click on this link to be taken to the Make-A-Wish Foundation International website. http://www.worldwish.org/
If you live in New Jersey, I can connect you directly with my personal state Chapter. Please click here. http://nj.wish.org/
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