Make-A-Wish® Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia

Step-by-Step on Becoming a Volunteer

1. All volunteers are required to first submit a volunteer application, adhere to a criminal background and reference check and pay a one-time $15 volunteer processing fee.  Volunteers must be over 18 years old and reside within the Illinois territory.  To request a volunteer application please visit the Volunteer Request Form page or email the Volunteer Manager.
2. Two weeks after your application is submitted the Volunteer Coordinator will welcome you to the Foundation, provide you with your new username and password to our Volunteer extranet WISHNET with an email. 
3. All new volunteers are placed in the Volunteer Orientation Program which is designed to give new volunteers the opportunity and flexibility to serve the Foundation in different ways while learning more about Make-A-Wish.   Those volunteers living in "high-need" areas where the Foundation is short of Volunteers may be exempt from the orientation program as determined by the Volunteer Manager.

During orientation, volunteers complete an online training tutorial and are asked to complete at least two activities. Once completed, volunteers may choose to specialize in a particular area-as a Wish Granter, Speakers Bureau Member or Committee Member or may remain a general volunteer and continue to select from a variety of assignments. Conversely, volunteers who have been serving in a specialist role may choose to become an all-around volunteer if they are looking for a change of pace and experience.