The nonprofit organization, Make-A-Wish foundation is a nonprofit organization that has helped children with life threatening medical conditions fulfill their wishes.

The Make-A-Wish foundation’s Guam chapter serves Guam and the islands of the CNMI. It was founded in 1987 as a satellite office of Hawaii.

“Our mission is to grant wishes to children with life threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy,” said program services manager, Kaleena Aguon.

Aguon became involved with Make-A-Wish when she was attending classes at the University of Guam several years ago.

She found herself organizing cabinets and papers in the office working her way up to become the present day program services manager.

Make-A-Wish foundation obtains their money from corporate and private donations.

The government does not give any grants to the nonprofit organization. Due to the smaller population on Guam, roughly 10 to 12 wishes are granted annually as opposed to larger chapters in the mainland that grant over 600 wishes a month.

The Make-A-Wish foundation holds an annual fundraising event in August, which is called the Black Tie and Tennies gala.

The gala sets itself apart from the Red Cross Ball and other events by having attendees who are donors or sponsors wear formal dresses, suits, and wear tennis shoes. The wearing of tennis shoes is represented in the word “Tennies” of the event title.

Aguon explains that wearing tennis shoes is out of homage because the children who are serviced at Make-A-Wish walk in adult situations going through tribulations such as doctors’ offices, appointments and treatments. Attendees are acknowledging that those children go through tough times and that they are walking with them in their shoes throughout their journey.

“The best part about Make-A-Wish is our mission. We get to see these kids have their wishes granted,” Aguon said. Wish requests include grand desires such as going to Disneyland or simple desires such as going shopping with their family or owning an iPad.

One child got his wish granted which was to meet Dog the Bounty Hunter in Hawaii. His wish came true when he met Dog. The Make-A-Wish foundation contacted Dog and Dog personally gave his phone number out to the family in order for their child to meet him.

The child was surprised at Dog’s office although he thought he was never going to meet him.

The family and Dog developed a relationship with each other for a couple of months, but due to Dog being famous, his phone number changed and is no longer in contact with the family, however the memory and wish granted lasts forever in the mind of that young child.

High school volunteer Jiyoo Lee got involved with Make-A-Wish for community service. “At first I volunteered for the service hours so my college application would look good, but now I volunteer because I genuinely enjoy knowing that I help make a difference in these kids’ lives by giving up my time.”

Make-A-Wish volunteer Jane Baik says she enjoys giving up her free time and part of her allowance to make a positive impact on the lives of these children.

Guam residents can help the foundation by volunteering their time and donating. Volunteering applications are online at guam.wish.org.