The Make-A-Wish Foundation-based club at Aliso Niguel High School works tirelessly with students and staff to help recognize the mission of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses and providing joy for kids facing great adversity.
Roxana Bazargani (11), president of the club, says, “The club has been around since 2019 and it’s my first year as the president. The goal of our club is to raise money and send it over to the foundation to fulfill the wishes of children with illnesses. We want to spread kindness and awareness and inspire students that volunteering for a short amount of time at our bake sales and other events has a huge impact on the children.”
The leadership of the club includes a team of dedicated juniors who strive to make a difference in their community. Roxana Bazargani, the president; Maddie Nguyen, the Vice President; Cade Saito, the Treasurer; and Rami Dakak, the Secretary. Meetings are held in room 201, Ms. Haller’s room, every third Thursday of the month to discuss when the upcoming bake sales are, who is coming, what each person will bring, the time and date of the fundraisers and making the posters for the events.
Roxana Bazargani (11) says, “Students can get involved with our Make-A-Wish club by coming to the meetings and learning more about the foundation and our short and long-term goals. Students can make posters, share their ideas for volunteer opportunities, and come to the bake sales the third Friday of each month at Town Center with freshly baked goods or to give a helping hand.”
Maddie Nguyen (11), the vice president says, “As someone who’s interested in pediatric medicine, I am passionate about giving back to my community and love organizations that are mainly focused on kids and giving them hope for their future.”
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in the United States in 1980 that aims to help fulfill the wishes of children with critical illness between the ages of two to 18 years old. The organization operates through 59 chapters located across the United States and 50 other countries around the world.
Maddie Nguyen says, “We motivate membership by displaying the joy on each child’s face whose wish is granted and telling students that Make a Wish is just simply a wonderful organization that is all about kids.”
In order for a child to be eligible to receive a wish, they must be referred by any of the following four sources: a medical professional treating the child, the child’s parent or legal guardian, another member of the child’s family, or the child that may receive the wish.
The Make-A-Wish club at Aliso Niguel grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Members of the club work tirelessly to make the dreams of ailing kids come to life through their various volunteer opportunities and frequent bake sales, raising money toward the goal.
