Former Wish Kid Karli Jeffries joins Make-A-Wish Idaho in Post Falls

A former Wish Kid is now helping other children navigate the same wish process at Make-A-Wish Idaho’s Post Falls office. Karli Jeffries has joined the chapter as wish coordinator, a role that places a former beneficiary inside the organization’s day-to-day work in North Idaho.

Jeffries’ connection to the mission runs through her own childhood illness. She was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder during her freshman year of high school, and Make-A-Wish granted her request for a capsule wardrobe in 2021. That experience gives her a personal perspective on what families face when medical treatment, uncertainty and everyday logistics collide.

Her background is not only emotional but professional. Jeffries graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in public policy and public service. She also completed internships with Make-A-Wish Arizona and Make-A-Wish Alaska/Washington, and worked at Ronald McDonald House as a family service coordinator, experience that put her close to families dealing with medical stress and practical needs.

The hire comes as Make-A-Wish Idaho continues to build out its North Idaho presence. The chapter opened its Post Falls office in 2023 as its third Idaho office, and its website lists the location at 362 N. Herborn Place. Make-A-Wish Idaho says it serves eligible children in all 44 Idaho counties, with offices in Boise, Post Falls and Pocatello.

The need remains substantial. In 2024, Make-A-Wish Idaho said it granted a record 140 wishes, but another 130 children were still waiting. That backlog shows why staffing and local outreach matter, especially in a region where more families can now be reached through a permanent office in Kootenai County.

North Idaho’s role in the chapter’s growth has become more visible in recent years. The first-ever Walk For Wishes North Idaho took place June 1, 2024, at Riverstone Park in Coeur d’Alene, drawing more than 200 participants and raising more than $62,000. Jeffries, who is originally from the Coeur d’Alene area and now lives in Arizona, brings both local roots and chapter experience to a region where Make-A-Wish is still expanding its reach.