Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you require a criminal background check?

Because we work closely with children, Make-A-Wish Alabama asks all volunteers to submit to a criminal background check. All information received from these reports will remain confidential and used for screening and placement purposes. Make-A-Wish policy prohibits our chapter from using the services of a volunteer if the volunteer has been convicted of a crime that victimizes children, is sexual in nature and/or involves violence, fraud or significant theft.

If you have ever been convicted of a crime against a child, a sexual crime or a violent crime or fraud, we cannot place you as a volunteer with our organization. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact us.

For additional inquiries, please feel free to contact our Volunteer Manager, Maggie Corcoran at 205-254-9474 x1942 or zpbepbena@nynonzn.jvfu.bet. We look forward to hearing from you!

What are some of your greatest volunteer needs?

Currently, we have a special need for volunteers who meet any of the following criteria:

• Speak both Spanish and English
• Have daytime availability

How do I become a volunteer?

To begin the volunteer process you must fill out a Volunteer Application, complete a live scan background check and attend an orientation. Please visit our Become A Volunteer page for more details.

Can I volunteer around my work schedule?

Yes. Many volunteers are working professionals. We ask for a time commitment in order to ensure volunteers are properly trained and can make timely progress in granting children's wishes. Administrative volunteers may work during business hours, while fundraising event volunteers can select specific days and times based on event needs. Speakers' bureau volunteers offer speeches at events, which also vary by nature. We strive to be as flexible as possible with our volunteers' time, and we ask the same in return.

What can I do as a volunteer?

The main areas of volunteerism are: Wish Granting, Events, Community Outreach projects, Administration and Special Projects. Visit our Become A Volunteer page for more information

Can anyone be a volunteer?

Official volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Volunteers must be positive, outgoing, and passionate about children and our mission. It is important that volunteers are comfortable in a variety of social situations and work well with others.

I'm not 18 years old. Can I still volunteer for Make-A-Wish?

Although all volunteers must be 21 years old to work directly with our wish children or 18 to work with our fundraising and office efforts, there are a number of other volunteer opportunities including helping at events, hosting a toy, backpack or gift card drive or organizing a fundraiser at school through our Kids For Wish Kids^® program.

Who makes a great volunteer for your organization?

• Integrity
  We approach every aspect of our work with unwavering standards of honesty, transparency and respect for wish recipients, their families and Foundation supporters.
• Child Focus
  Our business practices always put the interests of wish children first.
• Excellence
  We aspire to have best-in-class business practices, and we embrace the challenge to exceed expectations at every opportunity.
• Community
  We foster a collaborative, global community of staff, volunteers and donors with the collective ability to make the broadest possible range of wishes come true.
• Inspiration
  We are inspired by the examples of our wish kids and the actions of the entire Make-A-Wish^® community to approach our mission with life-affirming enthusiasm, imagination and creativity. As a result, we fill each wish experience and every interaction with hope, strength and joy.

What kind of schedule must I have to be able to volunteer?

It is unlikely that you will have a regular volunteer time (i.e. every Tuesday at a certain time). The positions at Make-A-Wish tend to be very project-oriented, and it is necessary that you have a somewhat flexible schedule to accommodate this commitment. 

Wish Granters, working in teams of two, attend to the details of granting a wish. They work directly with children to ascertain and plan wishes, and work creatively to seek in-kind goods and services to implement the wish. The nature of each child's wish determines the level of the Wish Granter's involvement. Wish Granters are asked to attend a mandatory training, work on three wishes per year, and may be asked to drive up to two hours for the wish.

Why are wishes handled by wish teams rather than individuals?

A two-person team provides emotional support and helps to balance the workload. Working in teams also helps to protect volunteers from potential accusations of impropriety. It also allows the focus to remain on the child's heartfelt wish as usually one volunteers works with the parents while the other talks to and gets to know the child.

Do Wish Granters travel with the family/child?

How often and where do you hold Wish Granter Trainings?

What is a Wish Granter Training?

Wish Granter trainings are specialized trainings that consists of an overview of Make-A-Wish, the Wish-granting process, meeting with the families and planning a wish. This is a specialized volunteer opportunity and you must be older than 21 to participate in wish granting.