As a Bilingual Intake Specialist for Make-A-Wish^®, I have the privilege of working with wish kids directly and helping them determine their one, true, most heartfelt wish. It all starts with a Welcome Call with their parents.

I am often telling my team that if you want to truly understand and gain a different perspective of why granting wishes is so important, to listen in on a Welcome Call. During the Welcome Call, we inquire on the child’s personality and medical journey, giving parents the opportunity to share the real and raw details of their families' journey. To be completely honest with you, there have been many calls when it’s taken everything in me to not cry.

These are kids who are enduring severe symptoms, who are awaiting major surgeries and who spend significant parts of their childhoods in the hospital.

I am always asked how I do the work that I do… Because I know how amazing their experience will be at the end of their Wish Journey! An experience that will bring them and their families so much hope, joy and strength! It’s this community that makes these life-changing wish experiences possible, which is why I’m reaching out today.  It takes a village to raise a child and a community to grant a wish.

Every single day, 40 more kids are added to the list of waiting wishes and begin their wait for it to come true – and thousands of kids are currently waiting nationwide. That’s why we’re looking for 500 supporters to make their first gift today for kids who are in need of a wish.

Please, will you donate for the first time today to help us grant as many wishes as possible, so no child has to wait another day for their wish?

I see the impact of your generosity in the lives of these kids firsthand every day, and there aren’t enough words to express how grateful I am for all you do to make these wishes come true.

Thank you,

Marcia Buendia
Bilingual Intake Specialist, Make-A-Wish