WEST PARIS — Over the past 16 years, Becki Hatch of West Paris has made wishes reality for seriously ill children and their families around western Maine. She is a wish grantor with the Maine Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Hatch’s introduction to Make-A-Wish came when she was about 15 years old and lost a friend she met at summer camp to cancer. She learned about the Make-A-Wish program at his funeral.

“It stuck with me,” she said. “I needed to find out how Make-A-Wish worked. They had worked with him when he was younger, and at his funeral the family suggested donations be made to Make-A-Wish.”

Learning more about it, she decided getting involved would be a fitting way to honor their friendship and to help others. But with the minimum age to volunteer at 21, she would have to wait.

The opportunity came shortly after she graduated from college and was able to attend program training in southern Maine. Six years later, the time had arrived. Hatch signed up to become a wish grantor, a hands-on role working directly with families to coordinate their child’s wish.

Other volunteer positions are working on fundraisers, soliciting donations, care-package fulfillment and office assistance.

“A wish grantor is the liaison between the organization and the family,” Hatch said. “We meet with them to find out what the child would like to do, or have, or where they would want to go.”

Make-A-Wish Foundation’s mission is to fulfill life-changing wishes for children living with critical illnesses. The process starts with nomination, usually presented to the group by a family member or doctor of the child.

The patient is added to Make-A-Wish’s list, which is refreshed for volunteers every few weeks.

“Then, (in-house) discussions start,” Hatch said, “to find out if there are restrictions for them, to make sure they qualify, and that they are able to participate.

“They provide details about the child’s age, their interests, what region they live in. If one is directly in your area, they will reach out personally to find out if you’re available or interested. When I was having my kids, I didn’t have the time and took a break.”

Hatch said where travel adventures were once favored, since the pandemic children have trended toward custom-designed spaces they can call their own. She sheds and man caves are now among the most popular wishes. Décor is designed according to favorite performers, sports teams, colors and movies. Some have power, and may be outfitted as a game room, a playhouse, with workspace and other furnishings.

During reveal parties, the stakes are always high but always rewarding.

“There is always a lot of excitement,” Hatch said. “Sometimes it’s happy tears, but also (you can be part of) loss.

“It is a lot of work,” she said. “But I find it very fulfilling to help these families. I’ll continue to work with them as long as they’ll have me.”

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