Who We Are
Contact Us
Meet Our Team Of Passionate Volunteers
Nik's Wish is driven by a core team of passionate volunteers who generously give their time, talents, and what they can afford to help enable wishes to come true. This involves administration, hospital outreach, fundraising events, and working with the young adults and their families. A good portion of the volunteers' donations cover the foundation's overhead costs, so that your support goes directly to Bringing JOY to young adults fighting cancer.
Meet Our Development Director
Nik's Wish is proud to announce our first staff position, Development Director. Our ambition is to keep Nik's Wish delivering JOY as until there is a cure for cancer. Our Development Director will help us develop relationships with individuals, partners and corporations who are compassionate about helping young adults fighting cancer.
Meet Tammy English, Development Director
With more than 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector, including service on various non-profit boards, Tammy brings a unique perspective with a strong focus on donor cultivation and stewardship. She has been instrumental in fostering community partner relationships to advance the mission of organizations that meet the needs of the communities they are in. Additionally, Tammy currently serves as the Public Relations Chair of the Rockford Network of Professional Women.
Tammy is also a proud US Navy Veteran, serving in the Gulf during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. She was also a missionary that served in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake and assisted in Waveland, Mississippi with the hurricane Katrina relief efforts. With her passion for giving back, Tammy also continues to volunteer with other local organizations.
Tammy has one son who lives with his family in Beloit, WI. Her passion and extensive non-profit experience will be significant in furthering the mission of the Nikolas Ritschel Foundation to BRING JOY to young adults and their families battling cancer.
Connect with Tammy!
Tammy@nikswish.org
815-262-9678
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS
Allegra Sunday
Bill Kalma
Brian Lyngaas
Chris Ritschel (Homer)
Cindy Eckholm
Claudia Gonzalez Egelhoff
Dea Abrahams
Deb Dimmick
Jim Egan*
Kathy Caccamo
Jon Dimmick
Josh Michalsen
Judi Boehle
Kelli Ritschel Boehle *
Kim Williams
Klint Egelhoff
Kristi Erickson
Linda Granneman
Lisa Rylatt
Lydia Bainter *
Susan Sunday
Thomas Hilbert *
Tracy Egan
Daniel Callahan*
Geno Kuhnwald
Wish Makers
Wish Makers are the Heart of the NRF
Claudia Gonzalez Egelhoff | Judi Boehle | Julia Machkovich | Kathy Caccamo | Linda Granneman | Joe Granneman | Lydia Bainter | Tom Hilbert | Anna Eckholm | Kelli Ritschel Boehle | Denise Granneman | Jim Egan | Patrick & Laura Cogan | Wendy Symonds
Nik's Wish provides grants to young adults (18-24), and their families, fighting cancer. The current average cost of fulfilling a wish is $7500. Once a wish is granted, a dedicated, volunteer Wish Maker (with a heart of gold) will work closely with the Wisher and their family, making all the arrangements to fulfill the wish; so the Wisher and their family can truly enjoy their wish experience and precious time together without having to worry about all the many details involved.
Wish Angels
Wish Angels are helping us BRING JOY in their home state!
Maddie
Florida Wish Angel
"I became an Angel because my brother benefited from a wish in 2019. We created memories as a family in Hawaii, that without Nik's wish, probably wouldn't have happened. My goal is to help other wishers create precious memories with their family during their cancer journey!"
