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
Wish Makers are the Heart of the NRF
wish maker list
Alyssa Steege
Anna Eckholm
Claudia Gonzalez Egelhoff
Crystal Ballard
Denise Granneman
Judi Boehle
Julia Mothkovich
Kathy Caccamo
Kelli Ritschel Boehle
Linda and Joe Granneman
Lydia Bainter
Mike Barr
Patrick & Laura Cogan
Tammy English
Erin Hale
Wendy Symonds
Ally Colvin
Nik's Wish provides grants to young adults (18-24),
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!
Alabama Wish Angel Story:
In the fall of 2022, Nik's Wish got an application from a young man named Joseph Thompson from Alabama fighting terminal brain cancer with a wish request to go to the Kentucky Derby. His wish was granted, but his mind was not on the Derby, it was focused on joining our Nik's Wish Team and helping others fighting cancer. Kelli, founder of Nik's Wish, encouraged him to have fun with his wish and we would look at having him join once he had his wish. But Joe was determined to pursue a life of purpose with Nik's Wish and soon was named a Nik's Wish Spokesperson for Alabama.
Inspired by Joe's story, Mary, from More Good Today, donated wish funding to Joe to deliver his first wish. Mary would surprise him & his family with the news and share the story! Mary's video spread quickly across the nation and before long, we had Nik's Wish Angels in 6 states. Joe's giant heart and passion for others ignited our Wish Angel team!
Joe delivered 3 wishes and raised over $29K before cancer took his life on December 27, 2023.
