At Kunes Auto Group, we believe in more than just selling cars—we believe in building stronger communities. Recently, our own Andy Laverdiere sat down with Mary Beth Eggers of Make-A-Wish Illinois to talk about the life-changing power of wishes and how local volunteers and businesses can help bring them to life.

Mary Beth has been a Wish Celebration Volunteer for over 20 years and also serves on the regional council for Illinois. Her role involves working with families, supporting wish kids, and helping connect community businesses—like Kunes Auto Group—to the mission of Make-A-Wish.

When people think of Make-A-Wish, they often picture a child meeting a celebrity or going on a dream trip. While those moments are special, Mary Beth explains that wishes go deeper than just a memory. Studies have shown that wishes help kids build resilience, giving them hope and strength while navigating critical illnesses. Some doctors even incorporate Make-A-Wish into their treatment plans because of the positive impact it has on children’s emotional health.

Mary Beth shared a story about Luke, a young baseball fan from Geneseo, Illinois. Luke’s wish was to meet his hero, Anthony Rizzo. Before the official wish was granted, Make-A-Wish volunteers organized a special day with the Quad Cities River Bandits, where Luke threw out the first pitch and celebrated with his friends and teammates. Later, Luke traveled to New York where he met Rizzo, swung Babe Ruth’s bat, and even spent time with Yankees captain Aaron Judge.

Years later, Luke is thriving, and he still stays in touch with Mary Beth. In fact, when she had the honor of throwing out her own first pitch at a local ballpark, Luke came back to give her pointers. Stories like these show that wishes create lasting bonds, not only changing the lives of kids and families but also inspiring the volunteers who serve them.

One of the biggest misconceptions about Make-A-Wish is that it only serves terminally ill children. In reality, Make-A-Wish supports children with critical illnesses—conditions that are serious and life-altering, but often treatable. Many wish kids go on to live long, healthy lives.

Eligibility includes children between the ages of 2½ and 18, and siblings are never left out. From wish boosts to send-off parties, Make-A-Wish ensures the entire family is included in the joy of the experience.

Make-A-Wish depends on community support, from volunteers to donors to local businesses. Mary Beth stressed how important it is for people in every region of Illinois—including the Quad Cities, Quincy, Macomb, and Galesburg—to step up and get involved.

Volunteers don’t need to dedicate large amounts of time. Roles include:

• Planning send-off celebrations for wish kids
• Organizing “wish boosts” to keep kids excited while they wait
• Building rapport with families during the wish process
• Helping with fundraising events like the Walk for Wishes

As Mary Beth said, “It doesn’t take much to get involved, but the rewards are immeasurable.”

The next big opportunity to support Make-A-Wish Illinois is the Walk for Wishes event:

• Date: October 5, 2025
• Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Location: Riverbend Park, East Moline

This family-friendly event brings together wish families, volunteers, and community members for a day filled with fun, food, and fundraising. Attendees can expect:

• Beautiful riverfront walk at Riverbend Park
• Food trucks and refreshments available for purchase
• Activities for kids and families hosted by local schools and volunteer groups
• Wish families sharing their stories and walking together in celebration

Whether you form your own team or join an existing one, every step helps grant more wishes for children across Illinois. Don’t have a team? Join Team Kunes and walk with us as we show our support for Make-A-Wish and our local wish kids.

For more information or to sign up, visit: wish.org/illinois.

At Kunes Auto Group, we’re proud to partner with organizations like Make-A-Wish that bring hope and joy to children facing unimaginable challenges. Mary Beth’s 20 years of service is proof that the power of a wish doesn’t end when the day is over—it continues to ripple through families, communities, and even the lives of volunteers.

This October, we invite you to join us at Walk for Wishes in East Moline. Lace up your shoes, gather your friends and family, and help us make more wishes come true.