April Needham: Wishes do come true

Like thousands of others every day in North Idaho, April Needham goes to work in an office.

Only, she says it's not really work.

How could it be, when it's about making wishes comes true.

"I never imagined I would have a career I would go to work and not feel like it was work," she said. "I feel very fortunate to do what I've been doing."

Needham is the regional development coordinator for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Idaho.

Since Jan. 1, she has been in charge of raising money and recruiting volunteers to bring joy into the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions ages 2 and a half to 18.

The 1996 Lakeland High School graduate worked in corporate human resources field for six years, and real estate five, before joining the nonprofit, which has an office at the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce building.

She's also on the board of directors for Kootenai County Young Professionals.

"It's all about being involved in our community," she said.

To volunteer or donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, call Needham at 415-0109 or go to idaho.wish.org

What it's like working for the Make-A-Wish Foundation?

It's incredible. I'm honored to work for such an amazing foundation. They hold us to a very high standard, which I believe is great. Just having the ability to get to know the Make-A-Wish children and their families, I feel like every Wish child I meet, I learn something new from their bravery and their perseverance. It never ceases to amaze me.

Is that why you wanted to work for the Make-A-Wish Foundation?

I believe in the mission. It's amazing to see how we impact people's lives on a constant level.

Are you there when they receive their wishes?

Not every single one of them. But I've had the opportunity to be a little part of their wish, and talk to them after and see what that meant to them, their experience and how that made them feel.

It's really incredible to hear the stories, the anticipation leading up to the wish and then afterwards, what that wish meant to them.

Do you have a long list of kids and wishes?

Since Jan. 1, we are working on wish number 10 for northern Idaho. In our last fiscal year, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Idaho granted 90 wishes to Idaho children. So there's definitely a need for it.

How much does each wish cost?

On average, we budget $5,000 per wish. Some cost more, some cost less. It just depends on what the wish is. One of the things we focus on is making sure the wish is that of the child, their one true wish. We also incorporate the family as much as possible into that wish so they can all kind of rebuild themselves on a positive note and a positive bond.

What are some of the wishes kids have asked for?

We do a lot of Disney World wishes, they want to go meet the princess or visit Disney World. We have a little guy here soon going shopping at the Mall of America. He's excited for that. He'll get to do the amusement park, and he'll have a certain amount of money he can spend there. We have another local child who's traveling to Nevada. She'll tour the western Grand Canyon and go to a Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas, and tour Hoover Dam.

Who arranges the trips?

We have our VP of operations in Boise, she handles most of the wish coordination, planning and working with the other chapters because when we sent a child out of state, we call that a wish assist. We work with the coordinating chapter in that area to make sure they're there to welcome our families when they arrive and help them through the wish process.

What's a typical day for you?

There is no typical day. That's why I love it.

What would you say is the best part of your job?

I get to meet a lot of people. I really enjoy getting to know people and the wish families. I love hearing their stories and seeing the wish child and the impact we have.

What's the toughest part?

Probably also working with the wish children sometimes. It's hard to see them when they're not having a good day.

Can this work be pretty emotional at times?

At times it can be. Some of our kids are in and out of the hospitals and depending on their treatment plan. We try to work around their treatment plan. A lot of times they're taking care of that and coming into the program when they're healthier and able to participate in their wish.

I think in the last five, 10 years, we've lost nine kids. We lost one earlier and that was really hard on all of us. We got her wish granted and a couple days later she passed away. That was really hard for the whole team, so it's important for us to be able to take care of each other.

What's down the road for Make-A-Wish Idaho?

I'm excited to see our presence grow in northern Idaho. I'm just looking forward to it being one of those causes people have at the top of their mind. It's great to be able to continue to make wishes happen for kids.

SNAPSHOT

April Needham

Date of birth: May 23, 1978

Education: Bachelor's degree in social science, Boise State University

Hobbies: Hiking, fishing, reading, golfing.

Favorite movie: Freedom Writers, Office Space, Despicable Me

Favorite author: I love James Patterson, and 'The Social Animal' by David Brooks.

Number of hours on average you work in a week: 45

Number of hours on average you sleep in a night: 7

Favorite spectator sport: Boise State football

Favorite type of music: I like a little bit of everything.

Person who most influenced your life: My dad, Mike Needham. He taught me to work hard, the importance of patience, and always treat others with kindness.

Best advice you ever received: I'm sure there's been a ton of it, but I can't think of anything right now.

One thing you consider your greatest accomplishment: Becoming a better public speaker. I feel like I've conquered that fear.

Quality you admire most in a person: Integrity, honesty