The Make-A-Wish Foundation seeks volunteers in Mass., R.I.

Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island, which creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, is currently looking for individuals to become Wish volunteers in Rhode Island.

Make-A-Wish plans to grant 50 wishes this year across Rhode Island. Make-A-Wish is particularly seeking bilingual volunteers.

Cynthia Dunsky has been a Make-A-Wish volunteer since 2017 and recently helped grant Sariah’s wish to go to Hawaii. Sariah is a 5-year-old liver transplant recipient who has undergone countless medical procedures and must still take medication to prevent her body from rejecting her liver. Her wish gave her a chance to just be a little child and have her dreams come true.

“It is one of the most gratifying feelings to be able to play a role in creating a magical time for a sick child and their family. To be able to give a child such a beautiful gift in the midst of their journey, so that they can just be a kid and enjoy something that they love. It is so humbling and rewarding to know that my contribution has put a smile on a face and a cherished memory in a heart,” said Cynthia.

Wish volunteers work in teams of two to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses and have support from the MakeA-Wish staff. All wish granting volunteers must be over 21 and submit an application, reference and background check; and complete an online or in-person training to begin granting wishes. Take the first step and register for an upcoming training at massri.wish.org/ volunteer.

For more, contact Krista Bishop at kbishop@massri. wish.org or call 617-367-9474. To learn more about Make-AWish Massachusetts and Rhode Island, visit massri.wish.org.