Volunteer

Opportunities to Volunteer & Bring Joy  Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan. Whether you would like to help an ill child experience the magic of a wish, participate in special events, promote special programs, or host an event to benefit Make-A-Wish, we have a volunteer opportunity just for you. Depending on where you live, opportunities for involvement vary.  

A detailed list of potential volunteer roles and their descriptions follow. Some of the volunteer positions will require that you complete a volunteer application, including a background and reference check.

Public Promoters These volunteers (18-years and older only) are self-starters, actively involved within their own community to help raise awareness about the Make-A-Wish mission. It may involve distributing flyers or posters to promote an upcoming Foundation event, recruiting participants for our events, seeking local speaking engagements to educate community groups about the Foundation, or representing Make-A-Wish at various events and activities hosted by community groups or businesses. These volunteers may help by working at these third-party events, staffing information booths, selling raffle tickets or holiday cards, accepting checks, making presentations, etc. Once registered as a Make-A-Wish volunteer, you will be provided with a packet of more specific information and preparation for this type of volunteering. Contact Jen Boan at 734.994.8620.

 Wish-Granting Volunteer Teams  Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan serves children across the state, and wish-granting volunteers are needed to help make wishes come true. A Wish Team is comprised of two volunteers who meet with wish kids and their families and conduct the visit that helps to determine the child’s wish. Volunteers have some involvement with each wish, depending on what the child wishes for. Our staff makes the majority of the arrangements, with help from volunteers in the child’s community.

Wish Granting volunteers must be 21 years of age, and must attend a one-day wish-granting training session. Training sessions are offered on Saturday mornings, annually in Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and other locations as needed.  In most areas of the state, there is approximately a 6 month waiting period before volunteers can get involved with wish-granting, due to the timing of training. Wish-granting volunteers must be willing to travel at least one hour to meet with a wish child if necessary. Wish granters must also be willing to solicit donations from businesses or individuals in order to help make the wish come true. In most areas of the state, wish-granting volunteers can expect to be involved with a minimum of three or four wishes per year. Many of the children are located in the major metropolitan areas such as the city of Detroit or Grand Rapids and volunteers in these areas can be involved with as many wishes as their schedule allows.  Contact Jen Boan at 734.994.8620

Office Angels:  Office volunteers are a vital part of the Foundation’s successful events and activities in each of the offices - Ann Arbor, Detroit and Grand Rapids. Office projects vary by location, and change throughout the year.  Contact Jen Boan at  734.994.8620.  

Internships Those involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation have an opportunity to make a difference every day! Make-A-Wish Foundation takes great pride in its internship program and has positions available throughout the year in Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids.  These positions are unpaid; however, the Foundation will work with students who wish to receive school credit for their experience.  Individuals interested in applying for any of these internship opportunities can send their resume, cover letter and application to the contact indicated below.

Contact Jen Boan at 734.994.8620

All Offices:
Wish Assistant Internship

Ann Arbor Office:
Community Events Internship
Wish A Mile 300 Special Event Internship
Human Resources Internship
Development Research Internship 

Detroit Office:
Community Events Internship

Grand Rapids Office:
Special Projects Internship (fundraising, wish granting, & volunteer projects)

Special Events:   Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan hosts several major fund-raising events each year throughout the state. Consider participating in these events, volunteering, or recruiting your employer to sponsor one of them! 

Wish-A-Mile 300 Bicycle Tour:   Join the fun July 24-27 on our annual Wish-A-Mile 300 Bicycle Tour.  Over 700 cyclists will ride 300 miles from Traverse City to Chelsea to help raise funds for wish children. Tour Volunteers  are needed for the entire weekend helping in a variety of ways including: driving a support van, setting up schools, managing break stops and cheering for the athletes. One day opportunities are also available. Visit our Wish-A-Mile Bicycle Tour Volunteer  page to learn more.  Please contact 734.994.8620  if you have any questions. 

Heroes Hurrah:   An outdoor celebration at the conclusion of the Wish-A-Mile 300 Bicycle Tour at the Chelsea Fairgrounds the last Sunday in July. Many volunteers (16 years or older please) are needed to help execute this exciting day of food, music, games and fun activities for families, as well as sheering for the athletes as they cross the finish line. Contact Jen Boan at 734.994.8620 to get involved as a Heroes Hurrah volunteer.

Bring Joy, One Penny at a Time Gala – Grand Rapids:   A formal dinner and auction in the spring featuring premiere auction items, an elegant dinner, and entertainment. Be a part of this excitement by helping onsite as volunteer, purchasing tickets for the event, or enlisting your company to sponsor this event by purchasing a table. Individuals over the age of 18 who are interested in volunteering may contact Jen Boan at 734.994.8620 or visit the Bring Joy, One Penny at a Time page for additional information.

Walk For Wishes:   Teams of walkers and volunteers are needed for these family-oriented 5K Walks! In addition to helping raise funds to grant wishes, you will enjoy the opportunity to meet wish kids, volunteers, and other community supporters.  To register or learn more information, visit the Walk for Wishes or contact Jen Boan at 734.994.8620. 

Walk Dates: 
Ann Arbor  - Saturday March 29, 2008 in Downtown Ann Arbor
Detroit - Saturday, May 10, 2008 at the Detroit Zoo
Grand Rapids – Saturday, June 7, 2008 at John Ball Zoo

Organize an Event:  Join in the fun and plan your own special event to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan. The events can be anything from a car wash to a dinner dance to a golf outing. No matter what the event, the Foundation is grateful for this support and recognizes the importance of these fundraisers. To help guide you in this process, download an event registration form or contact the Foundation's Community Events Manager in your region:

Eastern, Northern and Central Michigan
Kedrin Gall 
P: 313.833.9100 x 306

Western Michigan
Erica Hunt
P: 616.363.4607 x 25

To view other companies and organizations have done this year to support the Foundation,visit our Community Recognitions page.

 Holiday Magic:  ‘Tis the Season to make wishes come true and support the Foundation by selling holiday greeting cards and distributing brochures. With two adorable wish kid art cards, a professionally illustrated card, and a photography card there is something from everyone. 100% of the proceeds-benefit the Foundation - true Holiday Magic! To find out how you can help, please call 734.994.8620. 

  Make Wishes Come True:  Hit the streets in your community with colorful cut out cards, which can be sold for $1 by retail stores, restaurants, gas stations or offices. On the back of each card is the story of a wish child. Each dollar adds up quickly to make wishes come true. Contact Kedrin Gall at 313.833.9100 x306 to order your pack of cards!

Bag of Dreams:   Donate goodies such as new toys, stickers, hand-held video games, journals, store gift cards, phone cards, disposable cameras, etc. to be given to wish children and their siblings. We especially need small gifts for teenage wish kids and for boys of all ages. You can do this individually or organize a gift-drive at your workplace, church, youth group, or family events. Many local stores are happy to donate a few items for kids. Please contact Jen Boan at 734.994.8620 for guidelines and a current "Wish List" of items needed.