Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island

We've teed off at our Golf Invitational, hosted by our Emerging Leaders Council. It's a gorgeous day at Hopkinton Country Club and we look forward to the prize competitions, mission-based program, awards ceremony, and live auction. Thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers who helped make today possible!

September marked the start of a new program year here at Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island! Our 2025 program year rounded out with 375 total wishes granted thanks to the generosity of our Make-A-Wish community of donors, volunteers, and other supporters. We're looking forward to bringing hope and joy to local wish children in the months ahead and can only do this important work with your support. Visit massri.wish.org/waystohelp to join us in granting wishes.

The Woo came through for wishes at Tatnuck Country Club! 150 community members came together to celebrate and rally awareness at our inaugural Wish Night in The Woo in Worcester. Thanks to our generous supporters, we raised enough to make wishes come true for 15 children in Central Massachusetts!   Wish dad Bryan shared how his son Max’s wish to meet his favorite gamer brought hope, joy, and unforgettable memories for their family—reminding us all why we do what we do. And, we were honored to present the inaugural Wish Champion Award to Bill Murphy of North Grafton, MA, for his longtime outstanding support of wish kids. His employer, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, was inspired to join in this recognition of Bill by sponsoring a wish in his honor. Also to help celebrate the moment, 2023 wish recipient Julio reunited with Bill after first meeting him two years ago at the celebration of his wish for college tuition assistance being granted.   Thank you to our sponsors--especially Presenting Sponsors Drew Stratton, CFP and Stephanie Stratton and Bill Murphy—and to our Central Mass Advisory Council members, event volunteers, in-kind donors, and guests for your generosity and partnership as we work to fulfill the wishes of 80 children in Central Massachusetts who are currently waiting for a wish.

Yesterday, the Westford community came together to give 6-year-old wish kid Olivia a magical day. The Westford Police Dept and law enforcement agencies from around the state hosted a “trunk or treat” party at Nashoba Valley, inspired by Olivia’s upcoming wish to attend Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World Resort.   Olivia, who recently completed treatment for leukemia, celebrated in costume with friends, enjoying decorated vehicles, music from a DJ, K9s, horses, pizza, and plenty of treats. Despite the rain, over 150 people showed up to spread joy and support! Huge thanks to the Westford Police Department and all of the local businesses and organizations who made the day possible: Stir Martini Bar & Kitchen, Market Basket, Nashoba Valley Ski Area, Frontline Promotions, Ideal Block, Phaze II Auto Body, R.J Lacombe Septic Services, Christopher's Towing, Whole Foods Market, Evviva Trattoria, Muffins on Main, Elevate Entertainment 617, Westford Rotary, Westford Glass, and the many princesses and performing arts students from Westford Academy! Olivia’s wish is one of nearly 400 we’re working to grant this program year. Learn how you can help make wishes like hers come true: www.wish.org/together.   Photos courtesy of Rich Osburn

Standing together for Sky Meadow & Make-A-Wish Dear Friends, As many of you may have heard, there was a tragic incident at Sky Meadow Country Club last weekend. Our hearts are with everyone affected by the recent tragedy at Sky. We share in the community’s grief and are thinking of the families and friends of those impacted, as well as the incredible Sky Meadow staff. In moments like this, we are reminded of the power of coming together to create something good. Our Make-A-Putt for Make-A-Wish Charity Golf Tournament is about hope, joy, and making a difference for children and families facing unimaginable challenges. This year marks our 4th Annual Make-A-Putt for Make-A-Wish Charity Golf Tournament & Fundraiser, and it feels more meaningful than ever. I am a proud Sky Meadow member, and I am honored to support this special community during such a difficult time. Our tournament is an opportunity to come together, support the Sky Meadow staff through attendance, and bring joy to children facing critical illnesses. We are proud of our continued support of both the Make-A-Wish New Hampshire and Make-A-Wish Massachusetts & Rhode Island chapters — helping grant wishes for even more children and families across New England. Event Details: Monday, October 20, 2025 8:30am Registration - 10:am Start Sky Meadow Country Club, Nashua NH I encourage you to sign up by October 6 — or sooner — to reserve your spot. If you cannot attend, please consider making a donation through our website to support Make-A-Wish. Register or donate here: https://lnkd.in/eZ3RtWCs I invite you to join us in making wishes come true. Together, we can turn compassion into action. 💙 #MakeAWish #CharityGolf #CommunitySupport #SkyMeadow #NashuaNH #GolfForGood #GivingBack #MakeAWishNH #MakeAWishMA/RI

We rounded out our program year with the most wishes granted in a month! In August, 56 children experienced the joy of a wish, thanks to supporters like you! Wishes granted in August include: 🌄 To go to Yellowstone National Park 🌳 To have a treehouse ⛳ To play golf on Cape Cod 🚢 To visit the Queen Mary ship in Los Angeles 🎮 3 wishes to have a gaming system 🛍️ 4 wishes to have a shopping spree 🏰 15 wishes to go to Walt Disney World Resort...AND MORE! August was an incredible show of the power of our mission, bringing our #SummerofWishes total to 125 wishes fulfilled! Join in on the impact: wish.org/together.

Join Papaya Pilates at Faneuil Hall Marketplace for Pilates For Wishes—a special pop-up benefitting our mission of granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses! 📅 Saturday, September 6th at 9:30 a.m. 📍 Faneuil Hall Marketplace South Plaza 🧘 An all-levels, outdoor, mat Pilates class. Please bring a mat and water. ☕ Coffee will be provided courtesy of The Well Coffeehouse 🎟️ Tickets are $25 and 100% of proceeds will benefits our mission. Get your tickets: https://lnkd.in/eQHvYrSD

Worcester - mark your calendars for Wish Night in the Woo! Our recently launched Central Massachusetts Advisory Council (CMAC) is excited to welcome you to Tatnuck Country Club in Worcester on the evening of Saturday, September 20 to celebrate our mission of granting life-changing wishes for local children with critical illnesses. Guests will enjoy a cocktail party atmosphere with live and silent auction and plenty of moments highlighting the power of a wish.   Join lead sponsors Drew Stratton, CFP and Bill Murphy and secure your sponsorship with tickets included today.   The Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island CMAC, chaired by Bill Murphy, is made up of local supporters who are doing important work in the business community and passionate about wish granting. To learn more about our Council, the event, or our mission, reach out to Regional Director Peg Wheble at pwheble@massri.wish.org.

This summer, our team gathered for our annual staff retreat, focusing on building a stronger workplace culture with a focus on wellness in the workplace and enhanced communication. Highlights of the day included: ⭐A yoga and breathwork session led by certified instructor Suzanne Mendes, which offered tools to reduce stress through mindful breathing ⭐Personality assessment activities to better understand communication styles and identify best practices for collaboration ⭐A fully in-kind lunch from Hannaford Supermarkets, reflecting our commitment to resourcefulness and community partnerships The retreat was a meaningful day of appreciation and team-building—recharging our staff to continue delivering high-quality wish experiences!

Our inaugural Make-A-Wish Pickleball Classic, held at Bosse Pickledom in Natick, was a hit! The new event brought together 20 teams for friendly competition and raised over $25,000 to help grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Wish Community members had special roles including Elise, 16, who performed the national anthem; Bethany, 17, who participated in our brief program to share the impact of her wish; and Chris, 11, who was guest commentator for our final match. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success, including our volunteers, players, and sponsors: Peggy and Len Ho, Fiddlehead Brewing Company and Team Mastermind, Groundworks, Chick-fil-A Framingham, Boston Cornhole, and Modera Wealth Management.