Bilingual volunteers needed to help make wishes come true

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois is seeking Wish-Granting volunteers fluent in both Spanish and English in the Kane, Kendall and DeKalb county areas. A free training will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Geneva.

Wish-Granting volunteers work in teams of two to help grant the wishes of children in their community. These volunteers plan and carry out wishes from start to finish with support from the Make-A-Wish Foundation staff. Wish Granters are asked to grant at least three wishes per year. This is a fun and rewarding opportunity for adults of all ages.

For children who battle conditions like leukemia, cystic fibrosis, brain tumors and other childhood diseases, the Make-A-Wish Foundation provides a magical experience to help them cope with their illness and its treatment. There are no financial obligations for the family and no waiting list for children to receive wishes.

Attendees must complete a volunteer application and have taken the online training in advance; therefore RSVP is required by Wednesday, Sept. 30. Space is limited and preregistration is required. All volunteers must be 18 and older and must submit an application, reference and background check; and complete an online and brief in-person training to begin granting wishes.

To receive an application and begin the process of volunteering, visit www.wishes.org or contact volunteer coordinator Dan White at white@wishes.org or call him at (312) 602-9440.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives with hope, strength and joy - wishes not only provide a brief respite from day-to-day medical concerns, but also remind a child that anything is possible - even the future.

For more information, visit wishes.org or call (800) 978-9474.