Make-A-Wish seeks volunteers

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia and Alabama is looking for volunteers who want to make wishes come true.

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Staffers from the foundation will be in Augusta on Saturday to hold an orientation session and train volunteers.

"The first 30 minutes is an orientation to Make-A-Wish, so if after 30 minutes they decide that they don't want to commit, they are free to leave," said Shandy Arwood, the volunteer manager. "But it's our hope that people would want to stay."

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children between the ages of 30 months and 18 years who have life-threatening medical conditions.

Half the children want to visit Disney World and the rest wish for such things as a shopping spree, a computer, a room redecoration or a meeting with a celebrity, Arwood said.

Since September, nine wishes have been fulfilled in the Augusta area and 11 are waiting to be fulfilled.

There are three volunteers in Richmond County and 14 in Columbia County, but more volunteers are needed, Arwood said.

"Not having enough volunteers means that children will have to wait longer to have their wish granted," she said.

Volunteers must be at least 21 years old and will be required to complete an application, which will include references and a background check.

"The commitment is fairly flexible, but it does require dedication to make sure our wish children have the most amazing experience," she said. "Most wish visits are done on evenings and weekends. Volunteers are free to sign up for wishes when they have the time."

For more information on the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.ga-al.wish.org.