Schools
Kids For Wish Kids (KFWK) is a program for students of all ages to sponsor wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions, while encouraging community service and promoting leadership. WishMakers on Campus (WMOC) is a program for college-age students who want to make a difference on campus.
With more than 100 schools and children's groups in Illinois participating annually, the Kids For Wish Kids and WishMakers on Campus programs have proven to be very beneficial not only for wish children, but students, schools, and entire communities as well. Whether it's a dance, coin drive, walkathon, or talent show, KFWK and WMOC projects are fun and creative ways to make a difference in the lives of children in your community. Follow these steps to get your school involved today!
- Download the Kids for Wish Kids handbook.
- Fundraising ideas are limited only by your imagination! Plan a walkathon or here are some other ideas. You can always come up with an inspired event of your own as well.
- Get approval from Make-A-Wish. Please print and complete the KFWK Activity Form.
- Submit the form to Make-A-Wish.
- Make-A-Wish will provide you with the resources you need for a successful event!
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please feel free to contact us and we'll be happy to help! Call us at 800.978.9474 (toll-free) or 312.943.9813 (fax)
Kids For Wish Kids in Action...
Shepard Middle School
The student council and the school's philanthropy club came together to make a wish come true for one local child! The entire school participated in fundraisers throughout the 2nd semester and raised more than $7,000! Activities included "Teacher Torture," bake sales, and a talent show. Lois Romano, a speech/language pathologist at the school and veteran Make-A-Wish volunteer was amazed at the school-wide support for the project. "The kids just run with it," she said. "It's really incredible to see how much time and dedication the kids put into it."
Oak Lawn Hometown Middle School
From one child's wish, 44 more have come true. Brad Pipala, a 2003 graduate, had a wish granted for a fishing boat back in 2004. While the boat brought Brad much joy, he unfortunately lost his battle with cancer later that year. Brad's strength of character and positive attitude made a lasting impression on the people who knew him and has inspired the students and staff at Oak Lawn to keep his memory alive through their annual Walkathon.
The walk began in 2005, with 350 participants and $16,100 raised for Make-A-Wish. Now in its sixth consecutive year, the walk raised more than $43,000 with help from 700 students participating. In total, more than $231,000 has been raised in honor of Brad, bringing hope, strength, and joy to 44 local wish children over the years.
WishMakers on Campus
Chi Omega, Omicron Chapter, University of Illinois
Each year, the ladies of Chi Omega, Omicron chapter, spend their free time in the Spring semester striving to top the previous year's donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois. Through collecting change, selling hot chocolate and lemonade, a letter drive to parents and chapter alumni, and the Just Wish for It! Variety Show, the women of the chapter adopt several wishes year after year. In 2010, they raised more than $35,000 - making the wishes of 7 Illinois children come true!! The Chi Omegas at the U of I are truly an inspiration to Wishmakers on Campus groups throughout the state. Former Wish child Kelly Gibbons was the philanthropy chair for the Omicron chapter in 2009, when she lead the women of her house to raise more than $30,000 for the Illinois chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The following is a slideshow of Kelly's amazing story and how fundraising for the Make-A-Wish Foundation joined two important parts of her life into one. VIEW KELLY'S SLIDESHOW.
Wish Families consistently rate their experience with the Foundation as highly positive, with a 99% quality rating from Wish Families.
