Additional Information

Volunteering is a great way to help. We invite you to share the power of a wish^® whether you can give a few hours each month or a few days each year.

You can help make the wishes of special children come true in your local community when you become a volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of the Hudson Valley. With a small daily staff, our mission is only possible with the dedication of our wonderful and talented volunteers.

What do volunteers do? …EVERYTHING!

* Provide leadership at every level
* Trained Wish Granters meet with Wish Children
* Help raise money
* Help plan events
* Help us recruit
* Administrative support
* Listen

Make-A-Wish^® is dependent on its team of generous and high level volunteers who not only form teams to work directly with the Wish Children but who work on behalf of the chapter as leaders at all levels and in all areas to fulfill the mission.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Assist at an Event: Our Chapter is involved in a variety of community events throughout the year that raise money to support wishes. Events include golf tournaments, fashion shows, walks, and much more! By becoming an official volunteer you be added to our Volunteer Email List and you’ll get the flexibility to select which events are of interest to you. Day-of-the-event activities range from live & silent auction support to helping with registration. You must be at least 18 years old.

Help plan a Signature Event: Committee volunteers work together to ensure that our Annual Signature Events are successful. Committee members collaborate on all details of the event from concept creation to planning and execution. Signature Events contribute remarkably to our Chapter’s ability to continue granting magical wishes. Help support Make-A-Wish^® in a fun and rewarding way by becoming a member of a Signature Event Committee! List of Signature Events provided upon request and in our weekly email sent to volunteers. You must be at least 18 years old.

“FUN”d Raising Events: Volunteers who take part in our various fundraising events create a framework of magic through planning, organizing & implementing successful fund-raising events.

• Volunteers may work on event committees, take on leadership roles, or help out on event day.
• Whatever the role, you determine your own level of involvement, allowing for great flexibility.
• Best suits volunteers who are detail oriented, have creative determination, a passion for people, & a commitment to getting the job done.

Hospitality Volunteers: Acting as a “meet & greet” person at Orientations, Wish Trainings and other events these volunteers might also assist in setting up some light food & drinks, welcome materials & banners. Ideally suited for an outgoing individual who enjoys meeting new people, & one who is willing and able to travel to local establishments to provide any necessary food for the event.

Translators & Bilingual Volunteers: Bilingual individuals are always welcome additions to our volunteer base. Spanish-speaking volunteers can be especially helpful. To work directly with the Wish Children & their families as Wish Granters or to assist others, strictly as a translator with Spanish speaking families, your assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Get involved with Kids for Wish Kids: This program is geared towards students (elementary thru graduate students) looking for community service/involvement with the primary focus of raising funds to make more special wishes come true! Fundraising activities are endless - (bake sales, talents shows, school dances, etc.) students are encouraged to be as creative as possible! Parents and teachers may serve as advisors for these programs.

Provide Office Support: Periodically, we are in need of volunteers that are able to assist with office duties, administrative tasks, and special projects. Depending on current need, set up a steady schedule, work with one specific employee, or contact us when you have time available. You must be at least 18 years old.

Speaker’s Bureau Volunteers: Share the magic of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Increase awareness of the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® and our Volunteer and Fundraising Programs by speaking from your own personal experience at local schools, chamber meetings, and interest groups. We provide the information–you provide the passion. Prior Make-A-Wish^® volunteer experience required.

• After attending our Speakers Bureau training you will be given the opportunity to help us fulfill many of the speaking engagement requests we receive.
• Best suits volunteers with flexible schedules and public speaking experience.

Wish Committee Volunteers

• Attend monthly meetings. It is essential that you attend at least 10 meetings for the year.
• Help to plan Wish Events & Play Dates. Play a significant role in developing and conducting events and Play Days for Wish Families, at the Wish House and other Hudson Valley locations.
• Plan the holiday parties for our Wish Families with assistance from the Wish Department.

Wish Granters Volunteers
Work directly with Wish Children & their families. Their mission is to get to the heart of the wish & to make the dreams of our Wish Children come true through creativity & imagination.

• Working in teams of two, Wish Granters meet with a Wish Child to discover, plan & fulfill a wish.
• Using resources wisely, they seek donated goods & services, whenever possible.
• Wish Granters commit their time to make each wish as unique as each child, and to creating a lasting, memorable experience for the Wish Child and his or her family.
• This position requires excellent people skills, sensitivity, dependability and flexibility.
• Best suits volunteers with creative energy, entrepreneurial enthusiasm & the ability to give freely of their time.
• Wish Granters participate in a pre-training interview and attend a Wish Training Session

Apply for an Internship: Internships provide college students with hands-on learning opportunities. Students interested in a career in the non-profit sector will find a wealth of experience. For more information on interning with our chapter, click here.

For more information on all volunteer opportunities, please contact our chapter’s Volunteer Manager:

Abe Almanza- Volunteer Manager
914-478-9474 x 104
Toll Free at 800-844-8232
aalmanza@hudson.wish.org

Fax or Mail Volunteer Applications to:

Abe Almanza at 914-478-8245

By post mail or in person:

Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of the Hudson Valley
832 South Broadway
Tarrytown, NY 10591