Make A Wish Central NY

The Make-A-Wish Foundation® traces its beginning to one boy’s wish to be a police officer, and to date, locally more than 1400 wishes have been granted to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

There are Make-A-Wish Foundation chapters serving all areas of the United States, as well as international affiliates spanning five continents. Each chapter is responsible for granting wishes for eligible children within its designated geographic area and for raising the funds to fulfill those wishes.

Mission: We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Incorporated in 1985, the Make-A-Wish® Central New York, Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to granting special wishes to children between the ages of 2-1/2 and 18 who are living with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. In granting a favorite wish, the Foundation strives to provide the wish child and family with extra-special memories of joy and laughter, which are in dramatic contrast to the hospital, doctors, and treatment programs. A wish offers a welcome respite - a time for just plain fun!

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Make-A-Wish^®. Our volunteer program is designed to give each volunteer a diverse and rewarding experience while working towards fulfilling our mission to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. You can see all of the ways to help by visiting our website: http://cny.wish.org/ways-to-help/volunteer-time-and-talents/volunteer-opportunities///

HOW DO I BECOME A VOLUNTEER?

In order to provide the wish children and their families with the best experience possible, we require all potential volunteers to go through an assessment before becoming an active Make-A-Wishvolunteer.

Volunteer paperwork takes about 2 weeks to process and approve. After your paperwork is processed, you will be contacted with detailed instructions as it relates to the next steps based on the opportunities you selected. Please note, volunteer needs may vary by chapter needs.

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 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. Please contact us with any questions related to past convictions and/or our background check screening process.

WHO DO I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS?

Our team is happy to answer any questions or address any concerns that you may have.

• Manager of Program Services, Olivia Colabufo
• (315)475-9474 or ocolabufo@makeawishcny.org*
• • HOW DO I SUBMIT MY APPLICATION?

Please complete and submit pages 2-5 of this packet to our office via fax, email or mail.

Make-A-Wish Central New York

Attn: Volunteer Services

5005 Campuswood Drive

East Syracuse, NY 13057

volunteer@makeawishcny.org

Fax # 315-475-9476

PRIVACY & PROTECTION OF INFORMATION

Security of information is extremely important to us. All information submitted is available to and accessed by only relevant personnel. Information is never sold or shared outside of Make-A-Wish.