Coleen’s Story: Teaching Students the Value of Helping Wish Kids

For 15 years, Coleen has led her high school’s Kids for Wish Kids^® club, helping students raise funds to grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. As a teacher of 32 years, Coleen’s passion for service has left a lasting impact not only on her students but also on the lives of countless wish kids and their families.

The club’s origin is personal – one of Coleen’s students, Rachel, was a wish kid herself. “When Rachel enrolled, her mom mentioned wanting a club on campus,” Coleen recalled. “I told them, ‘If you need an advisor, I’d love to help.’ That’s how it all started.” Since then, Rachel has thrived and even served as an ambassador for Make-A-Wish.

From the beginning, Coleen made it her mission to raise $7,500 – enough to fund at least one child’s wish – before Rachel’s graduation. “We hit that goal by her senior year,” she said proudly. “It was amazing.” The success of that first effort sparked a tradition of annual fundraisers, including Wish Week^®, where students collect donations through assemblies and campus-wide events. “We’d do a Miracle Minute, send students into classrooms with buckets, and raise up to $3,000 in one week.”

The challenges of leading student fundraisers have only strengthened Coleen’s resolve. “Sometimes it’s hard to keep students engaged, but their excitement keeps me going,” she admits. Whether organizing events with local businesses or running student-led initiatives, such as a Glow Walk, Coleen ensures the club keeps evolving.

Coleen emphasizes the importance of teaching students the value of service.

Her goal is simple: keep the legacy alive. “I tell my students, ‘Don’t give up. Just keep going.’ And now, one of our club presidents is already training others – he’s determined to keep this going.”

With a smile, Coleen offers a message to other teachers who are looking to engage their students in activities that give back to their community: “Just dive in. Just do it. The joy you’ll bring to these kids and the lessons your students will learn are worth every challenge.”