Make-A-Wish Volunteers at the Heart of Every Wish Experience

Volunteers at Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas make it possible to transform kids’ lives through wishes. Volunteers are at the heart of every wish experience.

Meet Wish Parents Jessica and Jeff Benesch, who have been strong supporters of the local chapter ever since moving to Austin from the Bay area. They recently chaired Wish Ball 2023, and now those funds are already working to grant the wishes of the nearly 500 children currently waiting for a life-changing wish.

Jeff is on the Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas.

Supporting Make-A-Wish is a family mission for Jeff, his wife Jessica, and their three children Sam (Wish Kid), Julian, and Grace. Jessica helped with the auctions for the last four Make-A-Wish Galas. Her son Sam’s wish was a pivotal event in her family’s life, and she’s passionate about helping other children with critical illnesses receive the transformative experience of a wish.

Through the founding of Westlake for Wishes and as a rappeller at Over the Edge, Sam has personally raised more than $100,000 to grant local wishes. He now attends the University of Texas and interns with Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas, consistently wishing it forward alongside his family.

“Volunteering with MakeA-Wish is incredibly rewarding because you know that every minute you spend - from wish granting to art parties to fundraising events - will help make a wish come true for a critically ill child from our own community,” says Jessica.

“You are directly impacting a family’s life at a time when they need it most!”

Volunteer opportunities at Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas:

• Wish granters

• Airport greeters

• Translator/Interpreter

• Office volunteer

• Speaker’s Bureau volunteer

• Special events volunteer

• For more information about volunteering or to make a donation, visit www.cstx. wish.org.