Emilee is a fifteen-year-old with a nervous system disorder from a small town in North Idaho. She’s a fixture in the community. Everyone there knows her and cares about her. She’s nonverbal, and although she’s generally sweet and good-natured, she can get fussy when she’s frustrated and uncomfortable. She’s almost completely dependent on her parents who sometimes have trouble finding ways to soothe her.

Although Emilee can’t speak, it’s easy to tell how she’s feeling. She has a smile that will light up a room and her laughter is infectious. She’s happiest in the water, swimming and splashing. However, her condition makes travel difficult, so going to the beach can be problematic and the access at swimming pools can be hit or miss. Plus, it tends to get cold in North Idaho, so there’s a large portion of the year where Emilee can't swim at all.

”Emilee loves to be in the water. When she’s in the water, her hands will open up. The hot tub affords freedom of movement, makes exercise easier and just plain gives pleasure and comfort to her body and well-being," said Emilee's mom, Amanda.

Emilee wished for a hot tub, and in July of 2020, her wish came true. A hot tub provides a safe, accessible water source for Emilee to enjoy. There’s no travel involved, and unlike a beach, a hot tub can be used during the coldest months of winter.

"Emilee lights up over her gift and loves it. She has been in the hot tub every day since it arrived. She didn’t understand what it was until she got in it. When she got in it, her face just lit up. It was instant smiles," Amanda said.
I joined the Make-A-Wish® Idaho team last October as Mission Delivery Coordinator. My role focuses on the final mile of the wish journey. I enjoy working behind the scenes, connecting the dots between volunteers, families, and businesses to make the wish a reality. My love of Make-A-Wish began a decade ago, after seeing the power of hope come to life in my nephew’s wish. It’s real; it’s lasting, and I’m honored to help bring that joy to my fellow Idahoans!
 
I’m a Gem State native and BSU alumni. I live in Boise with my boyfriend Andrew and our dog Bruce - who is a very good boy. My guilty pleasures include cooking shows and pretty much any horrible sci-fi/action flick. On the weekends, you can find me baking, camping, skiing or playing games in my backyard.
I have been a 911 dispatcher with the Ada County Sheriff's Department for just over eleven years. I’ve always been a volunteer, but Make-A-Wish is my favorite! When I am not working on wishes, I love to craft, make pottery, read, hunt and take trips with my husband. We are high school sweethearts, married 25 years now. Our daughter who is our greatest accomplishment just got married!
 
I became involved with Make-A-Wish Idaho after my best friend’s son was diagnosed with leukemia at a year old. His first round of treatments took almost four years, and experiencing all the things they had to go through during that time was heart-breaking. Seeing how everyone involved had to change so many things in their lives made me feel like it would be a great thing to help bring joy to families going through medical challenges. I've been granting wishes for five years now.

Every wish has had a favorite moment! I remember decorating a restaurant with everything tropical complete with a red carpet and the wish kid's favorite song playing for a cruise reveal. The wish kid beamed from ear to ear! Once there was a welcome home party at a restaurant. Everyone there made the wish kid feel like the center of attention while he ate the biggest slice of cake I have ever seen with his bare hands! For another wish, my husband created a custom 3D BFF (best friends forever) Superman logo necklace for a wish kid who, in turn, gave half of the necklace to another child with the same medical condition.
 
As a wish granter, I get to see what great people we have in the Treasure Valley. I have granted wishes with some amazing partners! Local businesses have consistently gone above what we ever asked for, and the wish families are some of the most amazing people I have ever met!
 
I love every step of the wish process. I love the creative freedom we have. I love to think outside the box and feel giddy when I can add the perfect personal details to everything. I love being able to make the families feel like they deserve as much joy as we can give!
Grant Porter grew up in Twin Falls, Idaho. He attended the College of Idaho from 1993 – 1998 and moved to Boise in 1998. Grant grew up running rivers and guiding on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, working for his family operation, Middle Fork Rapid Transit. Grant and his wife Kim bought the outfit in 2002 and continue to operate trips when they can get away from their day jobs. Grant is a mortgage professional as well. He has worked 19 years as a loan officer doing residential mortgages and loves the real estate and mortgage industry. His true passion is connecting people to the Frank Church Wilderness on their multi-day rafting trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

Grant and Kim were introduced to Make-A-Wish Idaho via Serving Up Wishes and have been donating river trips to the event for several years. It was here that Grant became passionate about Make-A-Wish’s mission. Grant and Kim have never had the opportunity to experience a wish first-hand, but they are familiar with the struggles wish families face and with the rigors of medical procedures and hospital routines. Their son Bennett had years of medical procedures and challenges as a child. However, they do know first-hand the power of community and family support and the impact of hopes and dreams on the lives of children and their families. These are the things wishes are made of and the reasons Grant is honored to be part of Make-A-Wish Idaho.
SERVING UP WISHES 2020
 
For over 34 years, Make-A-Wish Idaho has been working with our community to transform the lives of children battling critical illnesses through the power of a wish come true. We have been working tirelessly on a plan for Serving Up Wishes 2020 and have decided that this year’s event will be conducted virtually. While we will miss seeing you in person, we want to ensure everyone still has the opportunity to experience the gala program and participate in the various fundraising elements safely and from the comfort of their homes.

Today, it’s more important than ever that we keep giving kids the hope and healing they need. Your commitment to wish children and families is crucial to ensure we can grant these wishes and many more as soon as it's safe.
 
We hope you will join us for the 18th Annual Virtual Serving Up Wishes on Tuesday, October 6, 2020. Larry Flynn and Mark Johnson with be live, and we have some powerful stories to share and a few fun surprises. There will be an opportunity to register before the 6th so you may bid on live auction items up to one week before the event.
Join Us for the Annual Magic Valley Walk for Wishes!
Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Walk for Wishes is an event that celebrates wishes that have been granted in Idaho, while raising funds for future wishes. Sign up today as a sponsor, walk team or volunteer. There is no registration fee, though we ask participants to raise $100 or more to help us grant more wishes to Idaho wish kids.
September 26, 2020
9:00 a.m. Registration
10:00 a.m. Program Begins
10:30 a.m. Walk Begins
Location :Twin Falls Visitors Center
Have you ever wondered about becoming more involved with Make-A-Wish Idaho? If you love children, enjoy being creative and have great attention to detail, consider becoming a wish pal.
Wish pals are volunteer wish granters who help wish kids look forward to positive things during difficult times - something that couldn't be more relevant now. Current wish granters may also sign up to serve as wish pals with no additional training.
Email jthomas@idaho.wish.org for more information.
Your Will: It’s More Than Legalese
It’s one of the most important legal documents you’ll ever create; a will dictates how you want your assets distributed after you’re gone. But beyond legalities, a will is a reflection of your life.

A well-planned will relieves family members from having to guess your final wishes, and it ensures they are taken care of in the manner you specify. Your will can also provide you with peace of mind for the future by knowing your loved ones are taken care of.

With the uncertainty the last few months have brought, many people are finding themselves thinking about the future. If you don’t yet have a will in place, consider what one can do for you:

  • Name a guardian for minor children
  • Make financial arrangements for family members
  • Provide for a pet
  • Direct the division of your property (so the state does not)
  • Choose the executor of your estate
  • Provide for a charitable organization

Extend Your Support
In addition to caring for loved ones, you can also use your will to extend your legacy by using it to provide for an organization like Make-A-Wish Idaho. This simple gift doesn’t require you to part with assets today but will have a lasting impact on Make-A-Wish Idaho and the children (and families) we serve.
 
Use Your Will to Grant Wishes
If you are interested in including a gift to Make-A-Wish Idaho in your will, please contact us at jbest@idaho.wish.org. We are happy to provide you with language your attorney can use to make your gift or add a gift to your existing document.

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