Wishing Star Foundation’s mission is four fold: to provide wish kids with hope through uplifting and rejuvenating experiences refocusing on the joy of life, to provide lasting support and memories for wish families, to treat families and associates with dignity and protect their privacy, and to inspire greater community participation in fulfilling Wishing Star’s Mission.

In 1983, our founders, Karen and Ed Kurowski, created an organization dedicated to empowering children and families to face their medical treatments and the loneliness associated with being sick. Wishing Star began as a wish granting organization, but quickly grew into a strong community of support for families caring for children waging war against incredible odds. Volunteers and donors sprang up all over Idaho and Eastern and Central Washington. These caring people raised friends and funds. They met with families, listened to wishes, made dreams come true and built long-lasting supportive relationships. When volunteers saw wish families struggling emotionally and financially for years, Wishing Star added other programs to assist the entire family. For example, our Christmas Giving Program pairs sponsors to needy families often providing the only presents these families enjoy.

We believe “once a wish family, always a wish family,” so we continue to strengthen families long after wishes are granted though our Beyond the Wish Program. This program sets Wishing Star apart from other wish-granting organizations. It surrounds families with acts of kindness long after wishes are granted both for families of children who survive and for those whose children lose their courageous battles. This program provides tickets to performances, sporting events, other recreational opportunities and a long-term community of support, hope and understanding. Medical bills often overwhelm these fragile family systems leaving few resources for fun. Continuing to bring joy to fragile children and their families, helps the family gain strength and continue the fight.

Because our families often feel isolated and alone, we have created family centered events where families get to know each other and have a great time. To date 1,400 families have been served. We are celebrating our 40th anniversary with former wish kids taking the lead in granting the next generation of wishes.