A WISH GRANTER’S PURPOSE HEATHER PIETRAS - VOLUNTEER WISH GRANTER I n 2012, I was looking for a volunteer opportunity on Maui, heard of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and was ecstatic to find that there was a Hawaii chapter. Shortly after, I was assigned my first wish child during the orientation class and was able to meet with him that same day with my new and delightful experienced wish partner, Emily, who was 89-years-young. I knew I was in the right place as I watched in awe as this 8-year-old boy, attached to an oxygen tank, told us excitedly of his one true wish. After some good laughs over several months, while he was in and out of treatments, our little angel flew off to Disney World to meet Mickey Mouse and enjoyed a fun-filled wish experience with his family. Make-A-Wish Hawaii was able to grant this child a wonderful experience and give the family memories to hold onto long after their son had slipped away just a few months later. As a volunteer for the past four years, I have been blessed in having granted wishes to 15 of Maui’s children. It has been the most uplifting, priceless and profound time of my life. I don’t think it gets any better than being given the title of Wish Granter while the chapter’s wish coordinators orchestrate the details to manifest these wishes for all these brave children. All the families I have met are so grateful and appreciative of us, the volunteers as well as the Make-A-Wish Hawaii`Ohana, for blessing them with a beautiful gift for their child during these very dark times for their family. It truly makes me see and feel that wishes really do come true. I was even brought closer together with the entire Maui community during a wish for Ryder, a child with craniosynostosis, who dreamed of having a playground in his backyard where he could safely play with his brothers. Nearly 200 volunteers from the Maui community joined together to grant this incredible wish. When you witness so many hands working together, holding one another, for the sole purpose of seeing a child smile, the parents shedding tears of happiness, you genuinely feel love and think, “Thank you, Universe, for showing me my purpose.” Heather with her wish partner, Emily, and 8-year-old Xander, whose one true wish while battling brain cancer was to go to Disney World. Opposite: Ryder (8, craniosynostosis) wished to have a backyard oasis, where he could play just like other kids. Ryder’s wish united nearly 200 people from the Maui community to give his family boundless hours of happiness and joy. 2015 MAKE- A -WISH HAWAII ANNUAL REPOR T 9
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