Kandy Parsons Senior Development Officer

Kandy Parsons, Senior Development Officer

by, Carrie Bugg

Kandy Parsons is the Senior Development Officer at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma. She is an Oklahoma native and graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Business Education. Before she worked for Make-A-Wish, Parsons worked as a marketing representative at the Xerox Corporation from 1985 to 1991. In her time here, Parsons was trained in sales. This proved to be very helpful in her current position. "I’m not afraid to make the “ask” which is where many people stumble. I’m tenacious so I keep working until I get what I need," Parsons said. In 1992, she became a substitute teacher and a community volunteer. Parsons has always had a passion for community service work.

In the spring of 2007, Parsons was looking for another career. She was leading a bible study and praying about her career path when someone suggested Make-A-Wish. Parsons researched the organization and adored its mission. "It combined two of my favorite things: kids and charity work," Parsons said. She interviewed with the organization and became a member of the Make-A-Wish staff in June of that same year. She has been working there for three years.

Parsons is oversees all fundraising efforts for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma. MAWFO does not receive any state or federal funding, so every dollar must be raised by the organization. However, every dollar raised in Oklahoma stays in the state to grant the wishes of Oklahoma children. Parson's favorite aspects of her job are meeting the wish families and working on fundraising with student groups in a program called Kids for Wish Kids. KFWK gives students an opportunity to create and manage fundraising projects to grant wishes of kids their own age. "It's wonderful to see kids passionate about helping others," Parsons said. She also enjoys the opportunity to meet so many people from all over Oklahoma.

Parsons said the most difficult aspect of her job is recruiting funding for wishes. It is challenging to get many foundations to understand just how many people one wish can effect through a grant application. "It looks like you affect only one person with a wish, when in reality, a wish affects the child's family and the community," Parsons said.

In contrast, the most rewarding part of Parsons' job is improving someone's life every day. "It is wonderful to hear from the wish kids and their families about what a wonderful experience a wish was for them," Parsons said. She enjoys building relationships with the wish kids.

Parsons encouraged future public relations professionals to be passionate about their career choice. "I work many long hours, but I don't mind because I love what I do," Parsons said. Seeing the smiles on children's faces is worth working for.