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How to Volunteer Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Suffolk County, NY, Inc.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Suffolk County,
or plan to attend the next Volunteer Orientation Meeting, please call the office at 631-585-WISH.

Our next Volunteer Orientation Meeting will take place May  2008 at our Ronkonkoma office.

If you'd like to arrange a private interview, please give the office a call. Click here to receive a Make-A-Wish Volunteer Application!

Read on to learn about volunteer opportunities and requirements.

  Volunteer Opportunities

• Office Assistance
  Volunteers are needed Monday through Thursday from 9 to 5, and Friday from 9 to 4, to assist with various responsibilities, ranging from simple clerical tasks (answering phones, photocopying, handling outgoing mail) to more sophisticated computer projects (updating our data base, composing thank you letters, and assisting with special computer and research projects.) We ask for a minimum weekly commitment of a morning or afternoon (4 hours), and we make every effort to assign you work you enjoy doing. (Time commitment: 4 hrs. per week min.)
• Wish Grantors
  Children are referred to the MAWF by doctors, nurses, social workers, family, school personnel, etc. Once a wish child is medically qualified by a physician, a team of volunteers who are trained as wish grantors, are assigned to fulfill the wish. The volunteer team interviews the family and completes the necessary paperwork to begin the wish process. Training is required (usually one evening.) Wish grantors meet the 3rd Wednesday every other month at 7 PM. (Time commitment: 4 - 6 hr. min. per month.)
• Kids For Wish Kids
  One of our major ongoing commitments is the "Kids for Wish Kids" (KFWK) program. Schools and youth organizations (religious groups, scouting, etc.) throughout Suffolk County involve their children in community service and awareness events. Volunteers will assist our KFWK Coordinators to establish contact with new schools and youth groups and solidify existing relationships in the program. This position involves public speaking to groups of children and requires the flexibility to visit schools during daytime hours, and possibly speak to student/youth groups during evening or weekend hours. (Time commitment: 2 hours per month to as many as you can!)
• Wish Kids Activities
  Throughout the year, our MAW "Wish Kids" coordinator arranges several special events for our wish families. Volunteers are needed to invite families (via phone or mail) and help out during the event itself. Examples are a special day at Splish Splash, Halloween Party, Holiday Party, Mardi Gras Party, etc. (Time commitment: 4 hrs. per month, usually an evening or weekend day.)
• Public Relations Committee
  If you enjoy writing, this is the place for you! Members write press releases relating to special events and wishes. They also write articles for our newsletter, Reflections. No PR experience is required, but good writing skills are necessary. (Time commitment: Approx. 4 - 6 hrs. per month.)
• Speakers Bureau
  If you have public speaking ability or would like to gain experience in this area, welcome to the Speakers Bureau! Committee members are asked to accept at least one speaking engagement per month, usually at an external fundraiser or monthly civic organization meeting. Speakers are also required to obtain their own engagements through personal networking efforts. The purpose of the Speakers Bureau is to inform the public of the Make-A-Wish^® mission, which will increase referrals, raise funds and recruit volunteers, etc. Training is provided and meetings are held where speaking engagements are assigned, ideas are shared, and members can practice. . (Time commitment: Approx. 4 - 6 hrs. per month.)
• Outreach Committee
  MAWF representation is requested all year long at various types of events, which helps increase community awareness. Some are Make-A-Wish sponsored fundraisers (such as our Angel Program) and others are community events or external fundraising events that we are invited to attend. A team of two volunteers is generally needed to sit at a table to answer questions and distribute MAWF brochures. Opportunities will be listed in the monthly volunteer newsletter, "Wishline". Outreach also includes visiting specialized schools, local hospitals and other organizations or support groups that may be able to assist in referring children with life-threatening medical conditions. (Time commitment: Usually a 2 - 4 hr shift on a Saturday or Sunday.)
• Holiday Angel Campaign
  Volunteers are needed to sign up for a 2-2 1/2 hour shift at either the Smithaven or Walt Whitman Mall for 10 days in December to help sell our Holiday Decorations created by our local wish kids.  (Time commitment: 2-2 1/2 hour shifts in early December.)
• Annual Spring Dinner Fundraising Committee
  Volunteers are required to solicit company sponsorships and auction items for the night of the dinner. They are also needed to work the night of the dinner (to register guests or sell raffle tickets.) They must also attend committee meetings from January - May. The committee usually meets on the second Tuesday of the month, but twice a month in April and May, and one pre-holiday meeting in Nov. (Time commitment: 10-15 hrs. per month, from Jan - May.)
• Holiday Party Committee
  Volunteers are needed to solicit toys and gifts for wish children and their families. (Each wish child receives a special gift, selected just for him or her.) Especially helpful are volunteers with corporate or community contacts to organize toy drives. On the day of the event (usually a Saturday in early December) committee members help in a variety of ways from registering guests to handing out gifts and prizes. This committee meets one Wednesday per month from September to December. (Time commitment: 4 - 8 hrs. per month from September to December.)
• Golf Tournament Committee
  Volunteers are required to solicit company or individual sponsorships, raffle and auction items for the night of the dinner. Volunteers are needed to work the day and night of the event as well as invite golfers to the tournament. The committee usually meets once a month from January - October. (Time commitment: 8-10 hrs. per month, from January - October.)
• East End Committee
  Volunteers are needed to participate at various East End events, such as the Riverhead Blues Festival, Hampton Classic, and a local winery event in the fall. On the day of the event, committee members help in a variety of ways from registering guests to handing out gifts and prizes. Especially helpful are volunteers with corporate or community contacts to help sponsor these events as well as assist in the outreach to grant wishes to children on the East End. This committee will meet one Wednesday per month from January to August. (Time commitment: 4 - 8 hrs. per month from January to August.)

• Non-discrimination in Volunteer Recruitment
  Volunteers, ages 18 and older, will be recruited on qualifications to fulfill specific roles without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, socio-economic status, sexual preference, or disability. The primary qualification for recruitment shall be the suitability to perform a specific volunteer position on behalf of Make-A-Wish.
• Application Process
  Make-A-Wish requires all volunteers to successfully complete our volunteer screening process. This standard protects our wish children, their families and our volunteers while demonstrating the high value we place on service.
• All potential volunteers must:
  -Complete a volunteer application.
  -Attend a volunteer orientation meeting to learn more about Make-A-Wish, its mission, and the availability of specific volunteer positions.
  -Provide three names for reference checking.
  -Pass a criminal background check. A $20 payment is required to cover the background check fee.
  -Meet with the Director of Community Relations to determine eligibility for placement.
  -Sign a confidentiality agreement and return it to the MAWFSC office.
  -Sign a Conflict of Interest and Ethics Statement and return it to the MAWFSC office.
• Volunteer Placement and Assignment
  The acceptance of a volunteer is automatic unless notified otherwise. Once the volunteer has successfully completed the screening process, and attended the Volunteer Orientation Meeting, upcoming volunteer opportunities will be listed on the monthly volunteer newsletter, "Wishline", which is received in the mail.

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Call, Fax or Mail inquiries to:

1 Comac Loop, Suite 1A1
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779

631-585-WISH * 631-585-0762 (Fax)
E-Mail us at: wishmail@makeawish-suffolkny.org