Babysitting For A Cause
Compassionate teens like Leigh from Winnetka are a great example of how people of all ages can get involved with Make-A-Wish. She started Leigh and Friends (LAFS), a great example of how a simple idea can transform a community and change the lives of many children with life-threatening illnesses. LAFS is a babysitting service that is comprised of about 30 sitters from New Trier High School. They all donate ten percent of their earnings to Make-A-Wish to help make wishes come true for teenagers battling challenging medical conditions. LAFS sitters currently work with more than 75 families on the North Shore.
Leigh Miron founded LAFS in 2009. Leigh was a highly competitive figure skater who was sidelined due to sports related orthopedic injury requiring three surgeries and a painstaking rehabilitation. During that frustrating time, her friends helped to keep her spirits high and she realized that while her condition was upsetting, it was temporary and many other children have medical conditions that are far more challenging. As a result, she wanted to do something that would help lift spirits of other children her age who are battling life-altering diseases. After researching many organizations and hospitals, she decided that Make-A-Wish was the perfect fit. She came up with the name LAFS because "we all need LAFS" in our lives; friends and laughs.
Leigh had three main goals when she founded LAFS. First, she hoped to raise enough money to grant a wish every year to a teenager with a life altering condition. Second, the goal is to help families in the area get reliable and responsible baby sitters. Lastly, after suffering years of pain, she not only wanted to give back, but she wanted to get her friends involved as well. Leigh says LAFS is a great way for everyone to benefit. Families contact Leigh directly with their needs and she matches them appropriately with an available sitter. Leigh manages all scheduling and finances. She receives no money for the service.
Kids For Wish Kids® (KFWK) is a program for students to sponsor wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions, while encouraging community service and promoting leadership. For information on starting your own Kids for Wish Kids fundraiser, contact Adam Shukwit at 312.602.9429 or shukwit@wishes.org.
There is never a waiting list for a wish. All eligible children can begin the wish process as soon as the child and family are ready.
