Make-A-Wish® Illinois Chapter

Linda Parck

Linda Parck with wish child Grace at Wish Ball.

If anyone has seen first-hand the vast evolution of the Illinois chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, it is Linda Parck. Introduced to the organization by her sister, who at the time was a Make-A-Wish volunteer, Linda began her first day with the organization in 1988. She was one of two full-time staff members, and as the Executive Director of the Foundation at the time, she helped grant 40 wishes that year. With her outsize personality and a strong work ethic, Linda was off and running to motivate donors and volunteers about the mission.

For the first ten years she was with Make-A-Wish, she says the most important part of her job was building the organization and raising awareness about the mission, in addition to granting wishes. By 1998, with Linda's help and dedication to fostering relationships with donors, the organization was able to grant more than 2,400 wishes! Today, she serves as the Director of Major Gifts for the Foundation and continues to nurture vital relationships for Make-A-Wish. In this role, she has not only been able to encourage donors to give to the organization, but also to continue giving in order to help advance the mission of the Foundation.

In 1996, Linda worked with Northwestern University's Dance Marathon Committee, as they decided that the funds raised for that year's event would benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The students who danced at the event did so for specific wish children, and Linda and a handful of kids attended the event to dance. After more than 30 hours of dancing, the event raised $286,000 for the Foundation. Linda has stayed in close contact with one of the co-chairs of the event, who eventually became a Make-A-Wish volunteer.

"I am proudest of how we have grown over the years and have continued to identify kind-hearted people who still want to get involved and help with the Foundation's mission. It really is very humbling," says Linda.

In 2008, friends, family, co-workers, donors and wish families came out to celebrate Linda's 20^th Anniversary of working with Make-A-Wish. They surprised her with a party, featuring entertainment by wish child Camiah McNeal who played the piano. In 2004, Camiah's wish to play the piano for Mayor Daley was granted by the Foundation. As part of Linda's 20^th Anniversary gift, donations have been made to endow a wish in her name, which will eventually grant one wish per year in her honor. In addition to her tireless work as a member of the Make-A-Wish staff, Linda and her husband have adopted six wishes.

Throughout her time at Make-A-Wish, countless memorable events have stayed with Linda. In her first month with the Foundation, Make-A-Wish granted the wish of a seven-year-old girl named Marilyn who suffered from a brain tumor. Linda was so touched because Marilyn's only wish was to be able to purchase gifts for everyone in her family to remember her by; she did not ask for a single item for herself. Marilyn's wish granters surprised her with a brand new canopy bed with pink ruffles and a ton of stuffed animals. Linda remembers the excitement felt by Marilyn and her family, even after all the years since Marilyn's passing.

Linda has played a vital role within the organization since she began and her passion for Make-A-Wish continues.  "I only hope that I can influence and mentor the staff here at Make-A-Wish for the good of the organization," said Linda.