TUSTIN, Calif. — On Wednesday, May 2, volunteers of the Orange County and Inland Empire chapter of Make-A-Wish were honored at an annual recognition luncheon held at the Anaheim White House Restaurant. Bruno Serato, owner of the Anaheim White House Restaurant and 2011 CNN Hero, donated the space and lunch for the event.
Volunteers of all areas ranging from fundraising to wish granting were awarded for their contribution to Make-A-Wish. John Ott was honored for his contribution as a volunteer and wish granter with the inaugural Nikki Ott Award, named after Ott’s daughter, a former wish child. Nikki passed away in March 2001, however, John continues to honor his daughter with every wish he grants for children in Orange County and the Inland Empire.
Stephanie McCormick, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire gave the introduction at the luncheon.
“Our volunteers are the very foundation of our mission at Make-A-Wish. Without them we would have no way to fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening conditions,” said McCormick. “Today we celebrate and salute all 350 of our incredible volunteers for their hearts, their hours and their love for our work!”
Volunteers for Make-A-Wish contribute countless hours to provide hope, strength and joy to children in Orange County and the Inland Empire. Many volunteers recognized at the luncheon have been with the chapter for over ten years.
Marisa Mendoza, volunteer wish granter since October 2010, was honored with the 2012 Wish Granter Award.
“I’m so honored to be a part of Make-A-Wish and am privileged to do anything I can to grant the desires of each wish child’s heart,” said Mendoza.
To become a volunteer for Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire or for more information, visit www.wishocie.or or call 714-573-9474.
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Make-A-Wish® grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, Make-A-Wish is one of the world’s leading children’s charities, with 62 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 200,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire, visit wishocie.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.
Janine Saunders Sands
Public Relations and Media
Make-A-Wish® Orange County and the Inland Empire
