NPC: Tell us a little bit about your organization, Wishing Star.
Why was it started?
Sarah Carpenter: Wishing Star began in 1983 by a woman named Karen
Kurowski. She was a school teacher in the CDA area. She had a student who had
cancer, but the child passed away before she was able to do something special
for her. She resolved to found a wish granting organization so that she
could serve these children and their families. The first wish was for an 18
year old boy with cancer. She pulled the community together and they were able
to send him to a Raider’s football game and he got to meet some players. The
wish childpassed away two weeks later. Twenty six years later Wishing Star has
granted over 1,130 wishes, serves children all over the region and continues to
serve each and every one of these families long after wishes are granted.
NPC: Who does it
serve?
Sarah Carpenter: Wishing
Star serves children ages 3-21, living in Eastern or Central Washington or Idaho and suffers from a
life-threatening illness.
NPC: How long have you been in operation?
Sarah Carpenter: 26
years, since 1983
NPC: How many people did you serve your first year? And, this
year?
Sarah Carpenter: In
Wishing Star’s first year, three wishes were granted. Last year, 36 wishes were
granted.
NPC: What is your
most difficult challenge as a nonprofit?
Sarah Carpenter: Helping
others understand and walk the very long journeys of families caring for
children with life-threatening illnesses. We set ourselves apart from
other wish granting organizations as we serve families long after wishes are
granted.
NPC: What was
your most difficult challenge starting out?
Sarah Carpenter: Learning
abundance based fundraising. I was forced into the fundraising world
after years of creating good programs and doing good referral work. I struggled
in the fundraising sphere until I came across Lynn Twist’s abundance model and
the Benevon, mission focused approach to raising friends and funds.
NPC: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a
nonprofit?
Sarah Carpenter: Stay focused on your mission. Live your
mission.
NPC: How can
people get involved?
Sarah Carpenter:
There are many
ways to become involved with Wishing Star. Every volunteer is different and
participates in a different way.
Time: Help serve the mission by giving your
time. Become a wish conductor. Joining a chapter is a great way to become
involved in wish granting, special events and more.C
Support/Talent: Wishing Star grants a
wide range of wishes for children. We often rely on the community for help to
make connections to grant a wish.
Donations: Support Wishing Star through donations,
sponsoring a wish or event, Christmas Giving Program, and participating in
fundraisers. Donations can be in the form of money or in kind gifts.
Make a Referral: Anyone can refer a
child suffering from a life threatening illness.
NPC: Is there
anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Sarah Carpenter: All families face remarkable challenges and are
at-risk in today’s rapidly changing world. Families with life-threatened
children are incredibly fragile and vulnerable. Siblings need support as they
are often caregivers. By pair caring volunteers to these families we provide an
added layer of support. Healthy and helpful relationships are important to all
families and especially to our wish families. The amazing fact is that
our volunteers often report how much improved their own lives are as a result
of being given the gift of helping wish families.
*Sarah Carpenter is the Program Director of Wishing Star Foundation. For more information, please visit the website at www.wishingstar.org.
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