Hello Wish Warriors!

I recently had a dear friend write to me asking for information about Cans for Wishes. She was curious about when we started, why we started, etc.

I thought, why not make a post about it?

Thanks for the idea Diana Householder !

Cans for Wishes was born June 1, 2020, as a response to the need for further wish funding. The Make-A-Wish Foundation was hurting as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, having several of their fundraising efforts cancelled.

They reached out to their volunteers for help.

I thought about it. And thought about it. Our fundraiser needed to meet a couple requirements..

1. It must be something a person could do by themselves. By that point in the pandemic, everyone was 6 feet apart, wearing masks, and buying stock in hand sanitizer. Group efforts couldn't necessarily happen until we got past that point.

2. It must be something everyone could participate in. No matter your financial status, your age, where you lived, everyone should be able to help. Not everyone can just give money, so this effort needs to be able to reach everyone.

I thought for a few days about an effective fundraising effort, and somehow my mind landed on my Grandpa Ken Powell. He used to collect and recycle aluminum cans in an effort to help raise money for a local Christian school. It worked well for him... Why not Make-A-Wish?

I talked to Jan Espin Stork and my my husband Doug, and Cans for Wishes was born.

The following 3 years looked like this...

An amazing team of volunteers and "official officers" was formed, which is absolutely necessary for an effort like this to be successful.

We expanded our list of acceptable items to most anything metal! The days of "just cans" are long gone. Bring on the canoes and campers!

We now schedule drop off days, pickup opportunities, and encourage collection opportunities to area businesses, schools, restaurants, machine shops, etc.

We have sponsored a total of 34 wishes up to this point, with our grand total just over $156,383.25 !

I could be here all day, but you get the point.

Cans for Wishes wouldn't even be here if it weren't for all of YOU! I can only do so much. It's YOUR drop offs, referrals, messages, offers of help, and support that make this fundraiser work. I don't have the words to thank you all enough for 18 months of fun and excitement!

Here's to another 3 years and more!

 Diana