PHOENIX — Candle Wishes is a Christian faith-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that fulfills birthday wishes and provides essential needs for underprivileged children in the Phoenix area.
The work of Candle Wishes is performed solely by volunteers. Daily operations are overseen by Founder and Executive Director Jenny Williams in Tennessee and Kristy Morgan in Arizona. Hundreds of volunteers from churches, schools, community groups, and businesses contribute their time and money each year to sponsor children.
How does it work?
Groups or individuals are solicited each month to sponsor the birthday children and purchase gifts and basic clothing needs for them. The sponsors are given a wish list, supplied by their child's caregiver, to help them in purchasing the gifts.
The gifts are given to the children at a monthly birthday party where they and their families are treated to dinner and birthday cake and enjoy birthday games and activities. Participating children, ages 1 to 12, are identified through the Salvation Army's approved list of Angel Tree families and through recommendations from school guidance counselors, social workers, and other philanthropic organizations.
In addition to fulfilling birthday wishes for children, Candle Wishes also provides useful resources for struggling families. By connecting families with agencies that provide free health care, churches that nurture spiritual needs, and organizations that meet personal care needs, Candle Wishes works toward its mission of positively impacting the lives of children in need.
