Some of our volunteers wear many hats and some help once a year; but all are
equally valuable to us. Please know that most of our volunteer needs do not
involve a consistent schedule. Flexibility, and sometimes patience, are keys to being a successful
Make-A-Wish volunteer.
It's easy to get involved. Simply contact our office and let us know what you
would be interested in. We'll let you know when training sessions, where
applicable, will be held, and we'll help get you started.
This could involve formulating, developing and organizing fund-raising events,
staffing events, developing contacts with Maine businesses, searching for in-kind
donors, etc.
Office/Clerical
Volunteers are periodically needed to assist with light office work (phones,
mailings, etc.) in or out of the office.
Special Events
Special Events volunteers are called upon to do a variety of tasks. They
represent the Make-A-Wish Foundation® at community festivals and parades, send-off
and welcome back wish children at the airports, participate in charity events
throughout the state, and do behind the scenes work for wish granters, to name
a few.
Wish Granting
This specially trained group of volunteers comes into direct contact with the
wish children and their families and works tirelessly to fulfill each child's
dream. Most Wish Granters complete one or two wishes per year. They are NOT
financially responsible for the wish. Wish granting volunteers must be 21 years
old or older. See our wish granting gallery!
In-Kind Donations
An in-kind donation is a donation of non-monetary product or service.
Unfortunately, we cannot accept used items. All items must be new. Donations
such as this provide great benefit in helping the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of
Maine stretch our dollars in support of Maine's Special Children, and we are
very appreciative of your support.
The following items are on our "wish list."
Paper Shredder
Filing cabinet/shelving unit
Photo albums
Backpacks
Travel games
Teenage appropriate gifts
Legos
Video games (G-rated)
Basketballs
Footballs
Soccer balls
Baseballs
Blank journals
Bead kits
Art materials
Contribute Items to our Wish Closet!
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine provides "travel bags"
filled with all kinds of fun things for all wish children and their siblings
who are going on travel related wishes. AND, since travel related wishes
make up about 80% of the wishes we grant every year...that's a lot of
goodies needed to put inside! We have a wish closet in our Camden office
that has been depleted of all kinds of different items to fill travel bags,
and we could use some help stocking it up again! Below are some examples of
the types of items we're looking for - basically anything fun to keep kids
occupied while waiting in airports or to occupy their time while in the air.
Phone cards (both for U.S. and international travel)
Disposable cameras (we send these out with each family that travels)
Teen/adult toothbrushes
Small handheld electronic games and
Non-electronic games
Coloring books
Picture books
Word search books, crossword books, activity books
Sudoku books
'tween to teenage books
Construction paper and scribble pads
Journals
Playing cards
Small stuffed toys appropriate for children under age 3
Those are just a few ideas to get you started! You can hold
a collection drive for the items, or you can hold a fundraiser and then use
the money to shop for the items yourself.
For more information, or if you have questions regarding items for our Wish
Closet, please contact Melinda at the Camden Make-A-Wish office at 1-800-491-3171
or mferrazza@maine.wish.org.
Sign-up to join our Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine mailing list!
