Help Make Wishes Come True For Sick Kids

Lakeland Village resident Dave Rusk helps make wishes come true.

Every year since 2009, he makes a “Ride For Wishes” solo motorcycle trip to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire.

“I ride because I want other kids and families to be able to experience and see how a difficult time in life can be changed with one wish,” Rusk said. “My hope is to bring awareness of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and raise a few dollars to help the Foundation grant wishes to children.”

Rusk became involved after The Make-A-Wish Foundation granted Rusk’s nephew, Dylan, his wish to be a sheriff in 2007 as he battled leukemia. ( to read more about Dylan, and to read more about Dave’s rides.)

The Make-A-Wish-Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire is reaching out to local residents like Rusk who want to become “wish granters.” The Inland Empire Chapter is currently seeking English and Spanish speaking, as well as other bilingual individuals, to join its volunteer wish-granting team “to bring hope, strength and joy to the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions.” 

According to an Inland Empire Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation news release, wish granters are involved in the entirety of the wish process, including meeting with kids and their families to help determine the child’s wish, continuous contact with the family throughout the process and planning the wish presentation party. 

“The opportunity to be a wish granter provides a very tangible way to have a direct and positive impact on children and families in the local community,” said Robyn Dawley, program services support coordinator for the Inland Empire Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “As volunteers give time, energy and heart, wish kids receive hope, strength and joy. It’s an incredible process to be a part of and is so rewarding for everyone involved.”

Interested wish granters can contact the volunteer services department at volunteerinfo@wishocie.org or call (714) 573-9474. To learn more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.wishocie.org.