Do you know someone who has a terminal illness, or have you lost a family member or loved one to a terminal illness? Unfortunately, the answer is probably yes. Wish Granters is a nonprofit that was founded because of this. The mission of Wish Granters is to improve the quality of life of terminally ill adults and their primary caregivers by granting wishes and supporting projects in the local community, thereby providing opportunities for these adults and their loved ones to have positive life experiences. Wish Granters was founded in Boise, ID in 2010, and they have granted almost 400 wishes since then! Most of the wishes are heartwarmingly simple in nature, and allow the recipients the comfort, independence, and dignity that they deserve. Their humble beginnings started with a man named Doug Raper. While working for an organization that granted wishes for children, Doug started receiving wish requests for terminally ill adults. He decided to start an organization that would provide wishes to those adults who did not qualify for a wish from any other organization. Thus, in July 2010, Wish Granters was born, and the very first wish was granted on December 17th, 2010. A gentleman diagnosed with ALS
wished for a helicopter ride with his wife and two sons, and Wish Granters made that wish come true. Wish Granters is the only adult wish-granting organization in Idaho, currently serving Ada, Canyon, and Gem counties, with a goal to expand in the coming years. They rely exclusively on the generosity of caring individuals & businesses, grants, and fundraisers. People often ask them what types of wish requests that they get, and the answer is “everything!”. There are wishes as simple as planting flowers in someone’s backyard so that they have something beautiful to look at every day, or even replacing the windows on someone’s house so that his wife will have a warm house to live in once he is no longer there. The simplicity will humble you… There are also many requests for trips with family so that the recipient has a wonderful, positive experience for their family to remember them by once they pass. These trips vary from places such as Hawaii, Disneyland, or even Alaska! Many amazing trips have taken place over the years, and they always provide the families with memories for years to come.
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