During the Christmas season, we invite folks to sponsor a wish family who may need extra support to make Christmas a little brighter. Sponsors purchase gifts for each member of the family.

Wishing Star's Christmas Giving Program is an extension of the Beyond the Wish Program where community support is essential. In the past two years, over 160 families in our service area have received support.

You can sign up at any time of year to become a Christmas Giving sponsor. You can choose the family size which you want to sponsor. If you do not have the time to shop, you can donate cash. Wishing Star has volunteers who will do the shopping for you.

Sponsoring a wish family entails:

Purchasing a practical and a fun gift for each member of the family. A complete list of practical and fun gift ideas will be provided. Avoid religious or political gifts unless requested by the family.

Leaving sales tags on items, with a gift receipt included, when possible. Items must be new, due to the sensitivity of many wish children's immune systems.

Wrapping each gift and tagging with the family member's name.

Purchasing a grocery gift certificate for Christmas dinner. We recommend $75 for a family of four. We are not able to accept food, due to complexity of many wish children's dietary restrictions.

Individuals, families, groups and businesses can make a real difference in the lives of our wish families by becoming a Christmas Giving Sponsor. Contact Wishing Star at (509) 744-3411, 1-800-685-6956, sarahc@wishingstar.org or complete the sponsor form at http://www.wishingstar.org/1545.html.