Beth Lehmann

Volunteering has given me a richness in my heart that I didn't know existed prior to my service.

— Beth Lehmann

Children have always been a big part of Beth’s life. So much so that she became a nanny more than 32 years ago.  Her work as a nanny has taken her to countless places around the globe providing care and guidance to hundreds of young people. Sometimes, in a welcome twist, Beth provides care and companionship for elderly persons who want to travel near and far. And Beth volunteer for 17 years at New York Cares running two programs, Urban Adventures, and Bedtime Stories, along with several other kids projects. It’s been a rewarding and fulfilling career. But Beth is not one to stand still. She recently took on a new challenge – volunteering for Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“I recently moved from New York back to my hometown of Tacoma, Washington and began volunteering for Make-A-Wish (MAW) in their Washington-Alaska Chapter,” Beth said.  “I really enjoyed being a nanny all those years, but I’ve come to realize that I really enjoy working with critically ill children.  It’s very challenging. Taking children who are so ill, many of them terminal, to a place of their dreams can be emotionally and physically challenging. But when I see the boost that it gives them, it just makes me feel better than anything I have ever experienced.

Make-A-Wish grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses serving all communities. They seek to bring every eligible child's wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illness. Make-A-Wish grants nearly 400 regional wishes a year. Throughout the US and its territories, on average, a wish is granted every 34 minutes. Each wish can be a game changer for the kids we serve, Beth said.

Beth says volunteering has increased her self-confidence. 

“It's an empowering feeling knowing that you are doing good for others in your neighborhood and the community,” she said. “Volunteering has given me a richness in my heart that I didn't know existed prior to my service. Volunteering is something selfless that you are doing for others, which may be life changing for them. That really evokes a feeling of well-being and satisfaction in me.”

Beth admits that she doesn’t have a lot of free time between volunteering and her temp job at an auto warehouse that processes new cars coming into the country and shipping them to dealers. But she does enjoy baking, photography and travel.

“I really enjoy baking,” she said. “I started creating cookies based on challenges from my coworkers. They give me a suggestion such a bacon and I incorporate it into the cookie!”

Cabot honored Midlothian, VA Make-A-Wish volunteer Scott Armstrong with a Community Celebrity Cruise in 2011.

This will be Beth’s third Cabot Community Celebrity Cruise. She sailed with Community Celebrities in 2014 and 2015 and joins the cruise at a 2019 Alumnus.