Norma Lopez, Wish-Granting Volunteer
Norma Lopez has talked the talk and walked the walk. As a wish parent and a volunteer she is uniquely positioned to understand what it's like to be on both the receiving and the giving end of the Make-A-Wish process. We at the Make-A-Wish Foundation are very fortunate as she puts that exclusive perspective to work with each and every wish she grants.
One of the Foundation's few native Spanish speaking volunteers, Norma was inspired to get more involved after her daughter, Citlali's, incredible wish experience in 2007. "Make-A-Wish helped me a lot (as a wish parent). I just wanted to give back."
As Norma explained, her daughter's wish "was a break for all of us" at a time when her family needed it most. Although it was hard seeing her daughter hospitalized for kidney cancer, through her work with the Make-A-Wish program staff and volunteers, Norma has been able to turn that experience into a positive for other children in need.
In fact, she became close with a teen undergoing cancer treatment at the same time as her daughter and who was also enrolled in the Make-A-Wish program. As luck would have it, Norma was later assigned to be one of her wish granting volunteers! In addition to her own daughter's Make-A-Wish experience, this wish is Norma's most memorable to date. "I organized a Quinceañera party for her. Now we're really close."
When asked what she thought the most rewarding aspect of being a volunteer was she replied, "Watching the smiles on the children's faces is priceless. Knowing I've made a difference is priceless."
Our chapter is always seeking volunteers (particularly native Spanish speaking volunteers in Eastern Washington!). Please join us at a wish granting volunteer training near you this fall. Visit http://www.nwwishes.org/volunteer/trainingdates.asp for more information or email Jeni Miller. Gracias!
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