Make-A-Wish Idaho celebrates new local space
Guests gather at the Make-A-Wish Idaho office Thursday evening in Post Falls during a grand opening celebration. The office is the first Make-A-Wish site in North Idaho, with others in Boise and Pocatello.
DEVIN WEEKS/Press
The new Make-A-Wish office at 362 N. Herborn Place, Post Falls, is seen Thursday afternoon.
POST FALLS — A wish has been granted for a nonprofit that is in the business of making dreams come true.
Make-A-Wish Idaho now has a North Idaho office at 362 N. Herborn Place in Post Falls. It is the third site in the state, with others in Boise and Pocatello.
“We are so excited to be here," Make-A-Wish Idaho President and CEO Janie Best said Thursday during the grand opening celebration.
"We’ve been granting wishes in Idaho and North Idaho for 38 years, but we’ve never had that local presence," she said. "We know how important it is for people to feel like they’re supporting a local organization, and we are that local organization. We serve kids in every city throughout the state."
Make-A-Wish Idaho grants wishes for kids between 2 and 18 who suffer from critical illnesses and conditions. Wishes vary from meeting Spider-Man or meeting country music stars to going on family trips to Disneyland and anything in between.
"Wishes change lives,” said North Idaho regional manager Michelle John, who will work out of the Post Falls office.
“It’s definitely an honor for me to be here,” she said. “This location is going to make a difference for wish kids and their families in North Idaho, specifically. I’m honored to be the face of Make-A-Wish in this area and to be able to give that human connection to the families and the kids."
The building that used to house an office for a local businessman is now a place where wish families can meet team members, where wish granters can meet with families and local board members can use the space for meetings.
"It’s huge,” Best said. "So many people have come out and they’re so excited about us being here. It’s going to help us grant more wishes."
This year, 130 wishes have been granted throughout the state, 30 of them for children in North Idaho. Make-A-Wish Idaho has received 215 referrals, but 30 more kids are on a waiting list.
"The need is out there. It’s greater than ever," Best said.
Wish-granters are needed. North Idaho has 20 at this time. Best said she would like to have 100.
"We’re just so thrilled we have the opportunity to be a part of wish kids' and families’ lives because we are able to give them something to look forward to, time to be together as a family so they don’t have to worry about hospitals or treatments or doctor visits," Best said. "Wishes really do change people lives."
Info: https://wish.org/idaho
