This time, four kids from around the SouthCoast and their families will be the beneficiaries of these fundraising efforts, to help them experience the dream of a lifetime: Logan, 16, of Fall River; Madison, 16, of Westport; Kareem, 11, of New Bedford; and Bailey, 3, of West Bridgewater.
O’Leary said in the press release that fundraising programs “are meant to ease the burden of families who are facing a difficult challenge and grant a magical wish of a lifetime for the entire family.”
You can help wishes come true for some local kids with big dreams.
A Wish Come True is making it possible for the SouthCoast community to help children who are facing life-threatening illnesses, with fundraising efforts like a “Weekend of Wishes” and Wish Hats for Wishes, a month-long fundraising effort.
This time, four kids from around the SouthCoast and their families will be the beneficiaries of these fundraising efforts, to help them experience the dream of a lifetime: Logan, 16, of Fall River; Madison, 16, of Westport; Kareem, 11, of New Bedford; and Bailey, 3, of West Bridgewater.
Get to know them a little, and see how you can help their wishes come true:
A Wish Come True “strives to grant wishes and provide needed resources to families that have a child, aged 3-18, who are battling life-threatening illnesses,” a press release from Berg’s Eye Communications said.
The non-profit organization has a couple of ways for the SouthCoast community to help local kids, and other Wish Kids like them. Events are planned to help communities rally around local Wish Kids throughout the year.
First up is a “Weekend of Wishes” event, benefiting A Wish Come True, to raise funds to help these kids fulfill their magical wishes.
This first fundraiser night is the A Wish Come True Shamrocks and Shenanigans Event, an annual fundraiser being held at the Venus de Milo, 75 Grand Army of the Republic Hwy., Swansea.
It will be held on Friday, March 14, from 6 to 10:30 p.m.
There will be dinner, dancing, a raffle, and live auction. Music will be provided by the Back in the Day Band.
The presenting sponsor of this event is Apollo Safety of Fall River.
For more details, as well as tickets, visit https://www.awish.org/event/shamrocks-and-shenanigans.
Shamrocks and Shenanigans wish beneficiaries include:
Bailey, a 3-year-old boy from West Bridgewater whose wish is to visit Give Kids the World and Disney.
He was diagnosed with left eye retinoblastoma in August 2023, weeks before his second birthday. Due to the size of his tumor, Bailey underwent enucleation [a surgical procedure that removes the eyeball] and now has a prosthetic eye.
“He’s adjusting well, thanks to his incredible spirit and the love of his family,” the press release said.
Kareem, an 11-year-old boy from New Bedford, whose wish is to go on a Disney cruise.
He was born with cerebral palsy after an emergency C-section, and “in his 11 years, he has had many treatments,” the press release said, including ear tubes, eye surgery, and Botox shots to help him walk. In September, he had surgery to put screws in his knees and keeps up with regular doctors’ appointments to help keep track of his health.
To learn more about Shamrocks and Shenanigans, as well as other A Wish Come True events, visit https://www.awish.org/upcoming-events.
Wish Hats for Wishes 2025 is a month-long effort that coincides with Shamrocks and Shenanigans. Wish Hat sales are running now, until March 17, at participating bars and restaurants.
They’re on display at those eateries, with a minimum donation of $1 per hat, and all proceeds will benefit A Wish Come True.
“This tradition has been carried on for close to 30 years by numerous volunteers in the Fall River area, led by Jimmy Cavanaugh and Paul Faggioli,” the press release said.
“The commitment and love that Jimmy and his amazing group of volunteers has for helping make magical wishes happen is incredible,” Executive Director Mary-Kate O’Leary said in the press release. “It is not often that an entire weekend of fundraising is focused on one mission and we are happy to say we know this community knows how to make a difference.”
Participating restaurants and businesses include:
To learn more about Wish Hats for Wishes, and for a complete list of participating businesses, visit https://www.awish.org/event/wish-hats-for-wishes.
Logan, 16, of Fall River, is one of the kids whose wish donations from this fundraising event will help to fulfill.
He is living with epilepsy; he had his first seizure in 2022.
“In July of 2024, Logan had a severe seizure that lasted over 15 minutes and caused him to stop breathing,” the press release said.
Logan is only able to communicate with sign language, or with his communication device, and he needs assistance with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating, the press release said.
His magical wish is to visit Give Kids the World and Disney.
Madison, 16, of Westport, is living with cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
She is “an identical twin who lost her sibling at 31 weeks,” the press release said. “Tragically, this caused Madison to have a stroke in utero, leading to her being born with cerebral palsy. She has 40% brain damage and was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2009.”
Madison has a unique wish: to have a sloth encounter in Tennessee.
O’Leary said in the press release that fundraising programs “are meant to ease the burden of families who are facing a difficult challenge and grant a magical wish of a lifetime for the entire family.”
A Wish Come True is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization that was founded in 1982 with “a mission to provide wishes and resources to families with a child (ages 3-18), suffering with a life-threatening illness that live throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Eastern Connecticut,” the press release said.
Learn more at https://www.awish.org/.
