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Volunteer Spotlight

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Meet Volunteer Jan Shaver

How long have you volunteered for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon and why did you start?

I think I began volunteering with MAW in 1997, possibly in 1996. I had read about the Foundation and heard that they were looking for volunteers in the Eugene and Lane County area.  My good friend, Sally Baker, had recently lost her 30 year old son to a brain tumor and he was so impressed by the strength of the young kids he met during his treatments, that he requested memorial contributions after he died be directed to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Denver, CO.  Sally and I did our wish-granting training together in Eugene.  In 2002, after I retired from teaching, I moved to Sisters, OR and have volunteered in Central Oregon ever since.

What keeps you coming back for more?

I realize what a financial and emotional drain it is for families of children with life-threatening illnesses.  Each wish I have completed makes me feel like we have been able to help and enrich the family’s life by granting their child’s wish.  I believe that the Foundation really lives up to its mission statement.  The child and the entire family can share the hope and joy of a wonderful wish experience together.

Why should people support the Foundation with their time and donations?

I feel that people should support the Make-A-Wish Foundation because it is a very accountable, responsible, volunteer-driven organization that uses a high percentage of its gifts and donations to fund children’s wishes.  The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon is a 4-Star ranked charitable organization.

What does the Make-A-Wish experience do for families you work with?

Every family I have worked with has been so appreciative, and truly astonished by how completely the wish was granted.  The wish child has something wonderful to anticipate and the family is so excited to see the sparks of joy in their child’s eyes.  I think even having to wait for the wish to occur provides an extra boost of strength and hope to the child and the entire family.

Tell us about your favorite wish.

I’ve had the opportunity to work on many exciting and wonderful wishes, but I think my favorite was Arriana’s playhouse in Redmond.  We had many volunteers building it that day, and Arriana was enchanted with the entire process and playing in it before we left.  My partner and I had fun finding furnishings for the playhouse, and Arriana’s grandfather helped build some accessories as well.  It was a magical day for everyone involved.