by Tim Froberg
If Kris Teofilo had a wish list of her own, it would start with the disappearance of devastating illnesses for children to battle.
Sadly, such a list doesn’t exist.
Still, Teofilo knows that she and her impactful organization can put smiles on the faces of children facing harrowing health situations and lighten the heavy emotional load they carry.
The Green Bay native is the senior regional director of Make-a-Wish Wisconsin Foundation: a chapter of the national organization, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. Make-a-Wish Wisconsin is a nonprofit headquartered in Appleton that grants wishes to local children dealing with critical life-threatening illnesses. It has given wishes to more than 8,800 families since it was founded in 1984 and currently has more than 500 kids on the wish waiting list.
Make-A-Wish Wisconsin is funded through corporate sponsorships, special events, foundation grants, and individual contributions. It receives no federal or state funding and does not solicit funds by telephone.
“For children facing critical illnesses, a wish transforms fear into courage, sadness into joy and anxiety into hope,” Teofilo said. “These incredible transformations are only possible because of our caring community of supporters.”
Teofilo joined Make-A-Wish Wisconsin in 2010 and handles marketing and public relations, creating community awareness, and fundraising. She has a strong business background, having previously worked in marketing and sales for Gannett Wisconsin Media at the Green Bay Press Gazette and The Post-Crescent.
Working for Make-A-Wish Wisconsin is more than just a 9-to-5 job for Teofilo. Being an integral part of a life-changing organization feels more like a mission – and a purposeful, fulfilling one at that.
“I would do anything for these kids,” said Teofilo. “Honestly, our kids go through more than any human being should have to endure. Every child braving a critical illness deserves a life-affirming wish to get the hope, strength and joy they need.
“It’s amazing to be mission-driven, especially for such a beautiful organization.”
Emotional Days at Work
Teofilo’s job can be very emotional – heartbreaking at times, but heartwarming, too. She gets to meet many of the ailing children served through Make-A-Wish Wisconsin and their families. Some of the kids don’t make it, but most of them do, according to Teofilo. Make-A-Wish Wisconsin helps them through the dark tunnels they are trying to navigate by lifting the gloom and providing them with exciting moments and exhilarating experiences.
“I hear heartbreaking stories every day,” Teofilo said. “However, I also hear the joy, the excitement and all the benefits that Make-A-Wish Wisconsin brings these kids and their families. We have some very sad stories, but we have more joyful and inspiring stories.
“One thing I’ve noticed about our kids – and I find this to be absolutely amazing – is that they want to bring joy to others and make the world a better place, despite all they have gone through. Because of what they’ve gone through, they are so far beyond their years in terms of maturity.”
There isn’t a day on the job when Teofilo doesn’t have the opportunity to reflect on what is truly important in life.
“When you think you’re having a bad day and then you hear the stories these kids and their families have to go through, yet they remain so positive, well, it just really puts life into perspective,” she said. “It really does. I never take anything for granted. Every single day I feel blessed to be able to do this work.”
The children’s wishes cover a wide range of visits and activities from traveling to exotic places to attending professional sporting events and meeting pro athletes or doing a coveted job such as being an actor or model.
It’s difficult for Tiofilo to pinpoint a favorite Make-A-Wish Wisconsin story because she has so many of them. Here are a few of her most memorable ones.
Jacob and the Appleton P.D.
Jacob Frerking, a 16-year-old from Appleton, lived with autism his entire life and shied away from face-to-face interactions. And then things became much worse. Jacob was diagnosed with an aggressive form of sarcoma and endured many rounds of chemotherapy, surgeries, and treatment.
Jacob’s wish was to live out his dream of becoming a police officer and the Appleton Police Department kindly obliged. Jacob was sworn in as an honorary police officer, received his own uniform and badge and went on patrol multiple times, assisting officers and firefighters at a crash site on one occasion.
Appleton P.D. officers became fond of Jacob and the weekly interaction helped Jacob become more comfortable communicating with others. Tragically, the cancer was too much to overcome and Jacob died following a two-year battle with the disease. A photo of Jacob hangs in the hall at the Appleton Police Department so officers can salute him on their way out each day. Former Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel named Jacob as a Wisconsin “Top Cop” for his work and contributions.
“Jacob’s wish pulled him out of his shell and there was just a transformation in him,” said Teofilo. “What was amazing is that his wish continued to live on after he had passed. The police department told us that Jacob really helped their team. They were going through a period when they were experiencing some backlash, and it helped pull them together. That just demonstrates the ripple effect of a wish in a community. He truly made a huge impact on the entire A.P.D. and the rest of the community surrounding him.”
Being a Princess For a Day
MaCollin, a spunky 3-year-old from Appleton, was diagnosed with brain cancer and forced to endure countless rounds of treatment and hospital stays. Her wish was to become a princess and experience the magic of Disney. Make-A-Wish Wisconsin flew MaCollin and her family to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando where she was thrilled to meet Minnie Mouse and visit the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique while also making visits to Universal Studios and SeaWorld.
“Seeing the smiles on our kid’s faces brought us much-needed happiness and restored our hearts as we continue to fight alongside our daughter in her brain cancer journey,” said MaCollin’s mother, Ashlee. “Our oldest son said multiple times on our trip that Make-A-Wish is the best thing ever and we all agree that it is.”
Who Ya’ Gonna Call?
A little boy from De Pere named Doug was diagnosed shortly after his 6th birthday with a heart larger than an adult heart. A VAD (ventricular assist device) which acts as a mechanical heart pump to assist the human heart with functioning was inserted and Doug became one of the youngest patients to have one.
Two years later, Doug was stricken with an infection that went all the way to his heart. He was put on end-of-life care and eventually went through critical surgery, but Doug beat the odds and fought through it.
Doug was fascinated with “Ghostbusters,” and his wish was to become one. He was outfitted with a Ghostbusters jumpsuit and all the ghost-fighting gadgets and granted a trip to New York city where he visited several sites, including the Hook & Ladder No. 8 Fire Station where several scenes in the movie were filmed.
North to Alaska
Maddox, an outgoing 8-year-old from Appleton, was born with a critical respiratory disorder and his life has been consumed with daily rigorous treatments. His wish was to travel to Alaska and pan for gold. Make-A-Wish Wisconsin made it happen. He was flown to Alaska and visited a museum where he was taught to pan for real gold.
“I never thought we would have the opportunity to travel to Alaska and have his wish granted,” said Maddox’s mom, Elaine. “We will be forever grateful for these lifelong memories.”
Teofilo is grateful, too, that she gets to play a key role in making these life-changing wishes come true. A Green Bay East High School graduate, Teofilo received degrees from Lakeland College (business administration) and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (marketing communications) before launching her professional career in 1995 at the Green Bay Press Gazette as a market development manager. She later worked in marketing and sales for The Post-Crescent before joining Make-A-Wish Wisconsin following 10 years in the newspaper business.
“I’ve always had a strong desire to help others,” she said. “As a kid, I thought I would grow up to become either a nurse or a doctor. At the time I was going to school there was a waiting list for nursing school. So, I jumped into marketing and communications and here I am today.
“I was surprised at how transferable my skills were when I went from newspapers to Make-A-Wish. I have put my business, marketing, and sales skills to good use. Instead of selling newspapers, I’m selling a beautiful, important, and inspiring mission.”
When she’s not striving to make dreams come true, Teofilo enjoys working out and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Steve, live in Appleton with their son, Jake, a senior at Kimberly High School.
“He’s almost ready to go off to college, so I’m trying to spend as much time with him as he will allow,” said Teofilo with a laugh. “We love the Appleton area. It’s such a great place to raise a family.”
This article was originally published in the June 2025 issue of Appleton Monthly Magazine.