"We are NYSUT" highlights members' contributions on — and off — the job.

After more than eight years granting wishes for kids with life-threatening illnesses through the Make a Wish Foundation, Jim Byrne has plenty of heartwarming stories. But a few stand out. Especially little Anthony.

"Any time a child gets a wish, it has to be okayed by their doctor. Anthony wanted a dog," said Byrne, a retired school counselor from the Central Islip Retired Teachers Association on Long Island. The doctor turned down the request due to Anthony's fragile state, but the resilient 6-year-old wouldn't take no for an answer.

"He went back to his doctor and made a deal that if he could get his blood counts up to a certain level he could have the dog — a Cavalier King Charles spaniel."

Sure enough, Anthony worked hard and one day Byrne got the call that the boy was ready for his dog.

Byrne started looking to find Anthony a dog. "I had never heard of this breed. They're the cutest thing," he said. He finally found an AKC-certified breeder in Philadelphia, but her litter was spoken for.

"She called me back about three weeks later and the woman who was number two on the list had agreed to step aside so Anthony could have a dog."

More than two years after the process had begun, Byrne was finally able to fulfill Anthony's wish — "one of the most satisfying wishes I've ever done."

Byrne learned about Make a Wish while working at Reed School in Central Islip. In one two-week period, he had two students come in requesting time for family trips.

He soon discovered the students, one suffering from leukemia, were actually having wishes granted through the volunteer organization.

After retiring, Byrne joined the organization, which tapped into his skills as an educator. He spends most of his time with the Kids for Wish Kids program. There, he helps K-12 students realize their own fund-raising goals.

He visits schools, explains the program and offers fund-raising ideas to students and educators.

"When children are given the opportunity to learn about helping each other it's amazing what they'll do," he said.

His time with the organization hasn't been easy, Byrne said. "Over the course of eight years I've been to quite a few funerals, but the pleasure that you give to families is so worth it."

— Clarisse Butler Banks