Wishing Star Foundation
139 S. Sherman
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 744-3411
Office Hours
Monday-Friday
9am-4pm
other times by appointment
Giving from the Heart
Benefit Dinner and AuctionNovember 21, 2008
Wish Conductors Needed!
Christmas Giving
Become a Christmas Giving Sponsor to a wish family in need.
Staff
Paula Nordgaarden- M.Ed. MSW Executive Director
Paula has been serving families and children in Washington and Idaho for over 38 years. She holds a Washington K-12 teaching endorsement, a Master’s in Adult Education and a Masters in Social Work from EWU. In the spring of 2005 she left her work with abused and neglected children in order to serve families caring for medically fragile children. She is a member of Rotary 21 and SPO-CAN. She has three children and four grandchildren. In the late summer you will find her picking huckleberries.
Donna Halverson - Development Director
Donna has over 25 years experience in development for non-profits. She graduated from WSU and has a Master’s in Education from Whitworth. She has volunteered for many non-profits in Spokane including Junior League (Board member and President), SpokaneArtSchool, WAMPUM Auction and is a current Board Member and Executive Committee member for Family Service Spokane.
Sarah Carpenter - Program Director
Sarah attended EWU for a bachelor's in psychology. She was a bank manager before becoming involved with Wishing Star. Although this is Sarah's first time working at a non-profit agency, she has had many life experiences with children. With four younger sisters and a passion for children she has done plenty of babysitting, coached a summer softball team and lead a youth group for three years. Sarah loves playing with her dog, Molly, participating in softball games and visiting her family and boyfriend on weekends.
Tracy Shaw- Boise Regional Director
I was born and raised in Wenatchee, Washington. I have one older sister, Kerri. My family had a cherry and apple orchard that kept us busy as kids. After graduating from High School I played softball at a JVC for a year. My love of travel lead me to the International Air Academy in Vancouver, Wa. I was hired by America West Airlines upon graduation. It was a wonderful job that inspired me to make a difference in other people's lives. My dream to be a flight attendant was short lived after I realized I wanted to be a Mom. I worked a few jobs in the Travel industry being a Mackenzie Ann was born in 1999 and Zoey Lynn was born in 2001. I started volunteering for WS when Zoey was a baby. In 2006 my dream job at Wishing Star became true! I love working for a Foundation that brings hope to families and is rewarding!
Tracy Taitch- Volunteer Manager
Tracy was the Camp Dart-Lo director for 15 years. Nurturing relationships with staff, campers and volunteers to help them grow as productive members of the camp community was a highlight of her tenure. Tracy is an honors graduate with a Bachelor of Arts and a Professional Education Certificate from EWU. She is a volunteer leader of two Camp Fire clubs, a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Downtown Spokane and an associate visitor for American Camp Association. When she can, she likes to volunteer at her two daughters' schools. Tracy loves to camp and ride four-wheelers with her family, and loves logic problems.
