Kristin Jackson is passionate about her role as the Vice President of the Board of Directors for Wish Granters. It allows her to connect with our amazing wish recipients, plan for the future of this organization and help lead a board of individuals who care as deeply about this mission as she does.

During the day you will find her at Boise State Public Radio serving as the Development Director.  She is also a board member of PRADO, an organization that works with public radio development professionals across the entire public radio system.

In her free time you will find her playing with her three crazy dogs, traveling or out on the town making memories with her son and husband.

Doug Raper founded Wish Granters in 2010.  He had spent several years working for children’s Wish organizations and realized there were many children’s Wish organizations that do amazing things, but very few that step up to help make dreams come true for adults who have terminal illnesses.

Doug was in the role of Executive Director from 2010 until he retired in 2016.  The first wish was granted on December 17, 2010, and during his tenure as Executive Director, he orchestrated the granting of hundreds of wishes.   Even though retirement called him, he has retained a position on the Board of Directors and continues to actively work on granting wishes.

He lives in Garden Valley with his wife Bonnie, and two much loved cats (Murphy and Mac).  Spending time with his children and grandchildren is his greatest pleasure.

 

Kennette McWilliams was fortunate to be asked to join Wish Granters when the organization was forming. At the time Kennette was working in hospice care and realized the value of quality of life and living and the importance of a patient having an opportunity fulfill a “hope” or a Wish.

As a patient’s life journey is coming to an end it is not uncommon to maintain “hope” but it does change and transform over time and often quality of life becomes paramount. You see as patient is diagnosed with a terminal illness; there is “hope” that the medical interventions or treatment will work to eradicate or slow the disease progression. The individual may “hope” to live to the birth of an unborn grandchild, or attend their child’s graduation. They may “hope” for a family gathering, or perhaps they “hope” to take care of something to reduce stress or worry of their loved ones.

A wish does not have to be extravagant to be meaningful!

Kennette shares some of her favorite wishes over the years: attending a movie at the local theatre via an ambulance gurney to be present with family; wedding dress shopping even though the patient’s daughter was yet to be engaged; or the anniversary dinner shared between husband and wife.

Kennette is married and has 3 children and her first grandson is anticipated in Jan 2021. She works for St. Luke’s Health System as the Operational Manager of St. Luke’s Hospice overseeing the social work, spiritual care, bereavement and volunteer program for the Home Health and Hospice services.

Kennette is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked for St. Luke’s Health System for 20 years with 17 of those within hospice.