A Wish Come True, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) founded on October 8th, 1982. We are the oldest wish granting organization in Rhode Island, Central and Southeastern Massachusetts, and Eastern Connecticut. Our mission is to grant Magical Wishes AND provide resources to families that have a child struggling with a life-threatening illness living in Rhode Island, Central and Southeastern Massachusetts, and Eastern Connecticut, ages 3-18.

The growth of the organization over the last few years has truly been remarkable. In 2022 we granted 19 Magical Wishes after COVID. In 2023, we granted 43 Magical Wishes thanks to the generosity of incredible donors and community support! In 2024, we granted 30 Wishes with an additional 10 on hold due to medical reasons, and in 2025 we are anticipating granting an additional 40 Wishes. We could not have done this without you. Over the years, the purpose of the wish has changed. At one point, it was a “final wish” for many of our children. Today, we see that most of our Wish Children are surviving their illness, which also requires additional support and stress on the families. The Magical Wish remains an opportunity to provide hope, love and happy memories that last a lifetime.

The average cost of a wish is $5,000-$7,000 depending on the size of the family and if any special medical equipment is needed. The most common Wish is to Florida’s Give Kids the World. Our families stay at this amazing village that has been built for sick children and their families. In turn, Give Kids the World partners with the local parks such as Disney World, Universal and Sea World for families to enjoy. Other wishes include computers, shopping sprees, bedroom makeovers and meeting their heroes, to name a few. Wishes are not limited to trips to Give Kids the World and the Florida theme parks because they are designed by each Wish Kid. Other children have chosen wishes that include visiting the San Diego Zoo, Key West in Florida, Alaska, Texas, the White Mountains in New Hampshire, The Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, Florida, Lake Tahoe, and Sea Island, Georgia as well as a VIP Yankees experience and starring in a YouTube video. The type of wish is limitless, just like the imagination of the children we serve!

In 2022, our mission expanded to include embracing the family along this challenging journey. We provide financial resources to families in crisis, as well as holiday and birthday support to those in need. In addition, we have provided gas passes and grocery cards to meet basic needs while the family strives to get back on their feet. One in four families that have a child with a life-threatening illness end up filing for bankruptcy due to the medical expenses.

1982

In 1982, the Founder of A Wish Come True visited the Make A Wish Foundation in Texas as there was a new program helping grant wishes to children suffering from a life-threatening illness. She returned to Rhode Island and started the first wish granting organization in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The organization was founded to grant the most desired wishes of medically qualified children with life-threatening illnesses or diseases. These children were between ages 3 through 18 and legal residents of Rhode Island or areas of Southeastern Massachusetts. Within its first year, 12 wishes were granted.

2018

In 2018, Mary-Kate O’Leary was hired as the Executive Director.

Mary-Kate had an extensive background in leading large successful nonprofits across the country. Even more importantly she had her own personal perspective as her younger brother passed away at seven years old. Her understanding of watching a child suffer with a life-threatening illness and how it affects the entire family has impacted our support to families significantly.

2019

In 2019, after surveying families, meeting with children and speaking to parents, it became clear that the purpose of the Wish had changed from when we first started in 1982.

Due to modern technology and advanced medical practice, children struggling with a life-threatening illness were surviving. The purpose of the Wish was to give families a needed respite/break from the day-to-day medical treatments, numerous doctor’s appointments, and travel to slow down and enjoy some quality time as a family. Families were forever grateful to A Wish Come True, but we soon realized that once the trip was complete, our services were needed even more.

In the past, when the wish was completed, we did not play a role in the family’s life.

What was explained to us by parents was that the wish itself was incredible, but now they were dealing with a child that has a life-threatening illness often lasting a lifetime. This meant the families were struggling emotionally, financially, physically, and often were in crisis after the wishes were completed. As we visited wish families to coordinate their Wish, we realized that many families did not have basic needs in their own homes such as dishes, utensils, curtains, sheets, pots, and pans or access to community resources. How could we grant a wish, yet know they were returning to an unsafe home?

This became the opportunity for A Wish Come True to expand its mission to help provide additional resources to families.

2020

Little did we know the worst world-wide pandemic was upon us.

The Covid-19 pandemic began in March of 2020. A Wish Come True had to lay off all staff but the Executive Director to sustain the organization. Give Kids the World, the top destination points for all wish granting organizations, closed its doors to serving wish children until there were signs that the pandemic was under control and would not open their doors for 11 months. Schools were closed with home schooling as the only option. According to the American Psychological Association, Stress in the time of Covid-19 article, the disruptions of the lives of children and teens under the age of 18 caused by COVID-19 may be having a profound effect on the stress level of American parents.

A Wish Come True stayed in close contact with families and recognized their need for additional support.

It is difficult to imagine living through a highly contagious pandemic AND having a child with a life-threatening illness. Job terminations and layoffs were occurring daily, large for-profit companies were closing their doors due to bankruptcy and children were not allowed to go to school but had to do distance learning from their home, adding more stress to the families. Wish Families were calling asking for support to buy groceries for their children or to help with their utility bills so the heat would not be turned off. They asked if we could buy presents for their kids for their birthdays as they had no extra funds. It was, and still is, a time of desperation, depression, and incredible anxiety for all.

In the Spring of 2020, The Board of Director’s approved the expansion of the Mission Statement to: Granting wishes and providing resources to families with a child, ages 3-18, struggling with a life-threatening illness living in Rhode Island or Southeastern Massachusetts.

2024

Wishes Take Flight Gala sets new record.

A Wish Come True broke their fundraising record by raising $630,000 at their Gala honoring Steve and Beth Napolillo, who have generously contributed to the organization for many years. The event was a success and well attended with over 500 guests.

Soaring to new heights for wish granting.

In Month 2024, A Wish Come True expanded into Southeastern Connecticut. They have currently granted 2 wishes there with many more wishes to come.

history

1982

2018

In 2018, Mary-Kate O’Leary was hired as the Executive Director.

2018

In 2018, Mary-Kate O’Leary was hired as the Executive Director.

2019

In 2019, after surveying families, meeting with children and speaking to parents, it became clear that the purpose of the Wish had changed from when we first started in 1982.

In the past, when the wish was completed, we did not play a role in the family’s life.

2020

Little did we know the worst world-wide pandemic was upon us.

2020

Little did we know the worst world-wide pandemic was upon us.

A Wish Come True stayed in close contact with families and recognized their need for additional support.

71%

70%

66%

2022

2023

2024

Wishes Take Flight Gala sets new record.

Soaring to new heights for wish granting.

2024

Wishes Take Flight Gala sets new record.

Soaring to new heights for wish granting.

Wishes Take Flight Gala

Lifetime Achievement Award

Wishes Take Flight Gala

Passion with a Purpose

Wishes Take Flight Gala

The Rodrigues Family