Steps to Volunteer

Step 1 - Volunteer Application

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please fill out a Volunteer Application that requests contact information, special skills information and an interest checklist. Currently, we have a special need for volunteers who: speak both Spanish and English, have daytime availability and/or live in the Inland Empire.

Step 2 - Complete a Background Check

We require our volunteers to complete a fingerprinting background check to protect the safety and privacy of our wish kids. A copy of your current driver's license or photo ID must also be submitted with your application.

Step 3 - Attend an Orientation

All prospective volunteers need to attend one of the chapter's volunteer orientations. Participants receive an overview of the Foundation's mission and gain insight regarding volunteer opportunities. Our hour-long orientations cover an overview of our Foundation and Volunteer Services Program, details of our volunteer assignment process and information on continued education and specialized roles - including Wish Granting, Speaker's Bureau, etc.

To find out if there are any upcoming new volunteer orientations scheduled in your area, contact our Volunteer Services Team.

STEP 4 - Get Involved!

Once you have completed the volunteer process, sign up for opportunities in your area and begin volunteering!! You may choose to volunteer in one or more of the following areas:

General Volunteer
Generalists are volunteers who lend their time to assist with local Make-A-Wish® events or day-to-day office tasks, including helping at a local school, community outreach event, business or expo, special Wish Kid event such as our holiday cruise, preparing mailings in the office, etc. Generalist volunteers roll up their sleeves to do a variety of support tasks that help raise funds, create awareness about our Chapter and make dreams a reality.

Wish Granter
Wish Granters work in pairs to meet with our wish children and their families, and may assist the wish child with their brainstorming to facilitate the big decision of choosing his/her one true wish. They work alongside staff (Wish Coordinators) in planning and executing the children's wishes. Please note: This specialist role varies in need by community and specialized training is required. Please contact our Volunteer Services Team to learn about upcoming Wish Granter Training dates. to learn about upcoming Wish Granters Training dates.

Events, Fundraising and Outreach
Event Committee Volunteers help through hands-on events support, stewardship, and recognition support. These volunteers assist with raising funds across the chapter's territory.

Speakers Bureau Members
Speaker's Bureau members are volunteers who are trained to speak publicly on behalf of the Foundation at various events to promote awareness of our mission, raise funds and/or recruit volunteers.

Wish Ambassador
Wish Ambassadors also speak on behalf of the chapter. They are wish kids and family members who have completed a Make-A-Wish experience and feel inspired to share their wish story with others. Wish Ambassadors work closely with our Wish Ambassador Trainers, Speaker's Bureau volunteers and staff members.

Administration
Office Administration volunteers are needed to help with paperwork, database entry and other office tasks during the workweek. They help us to keep administrative costs to a minimum so that more of our funding can be applied to our wish program.

If you have any questions, please contact our Volunteer Services Team at (714) 573-9474 or volunteerinfo@wishocie.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

When wishes come true, tensions ease, clouds part, families exhale.