Robert Robert introduced Janee Sheppard from the Make-A-Wish Foundation (MAW). She has been a volunteer for the past two years and wanted to give back and give to her community.

MAW grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.  Not all children have terminal illness before their wishes are granted.  Many children have been granted wishes and live on to flourish.  The goal of the foundation is to come into their lives at a difficult time where they are dealing with their illness, hospitals, doctors, etc. The child must be referred by a parent, doctor or guardian, and wishes are granted based on medical condition.  They must be two- to18-years-old and the wish is granted within six months of being referred.

Our local chapter office is in Ventura and represents Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, however, there are only five employees – all of the rest are volunteers.  They meet with the family and child for information gathering on the wish to be granted, which is all centered around the child.

The foundation's fundraising efforts are through private donations, which the money stays local.  Their largest challenge is obtaining frequent flyer miles.  Some examples of wishes:  Robin Williams is the most requested celebrity. A little boy wanted to be an old-time cowboy and a little girl wanted to transform her bedroom into a sea turtle sanctuary.  The family pays $0 and anyone can become a volunteer: just go to the Tri-Counties Make-A-Wish website (tri-counties.wish.org) to register.