For more than 31 years,
“A Wish Come True, Inc.” has been granting wishes to children age
3 through 18 who suffer from life threatening illnesses, and live in
Rhode Island and parts of southeastern Massachusetts. It has been quite
a journey, and the lives of countless children and their families have
been positively impacted as a result of this journey.
The journey began
with Rosemary Bowers, A Wish Come True’s Founder. From
1978-1982, Rosemary and a group of friends held fundraisers to help
people within their communities. She
received her degree in Child Development and Family Relations from the
University of Rhode Island, and over the next several years, Rosemary
was involved in early childhood education, and volunteering at local
hospitals. It was here she would see firsthand the daily struggles of
so many children dealing with severe illnesses.
In August of 1982,
Rosemary came up with the idea of helping
some of the many children she met while at the hospital. She simply
wanted to make their lives a little brighter and give them something to
look forward to, and not have to think about their illness all the time.
Rosemary recognized how much a child’s illness affects the entire
family – what it must be like for their parents and siblings to have to
deal with the day-to-day hospitals, doctors, surgeries and treatments.
Most of all, Rosemary wanted to give children and their families a
chance to set aside the illness, and have opportunities to do
things or go places other children and families experience.
It was at
that moment A Wish Come True, Inc. was born. On October 8, 1982,
A Wish Come True, Inc. was founded as a non-profit 501(C)(3)
organization, granting children between the ages of 3 through 18 their
most cherished wish. The mission and goal is to grant every
medically qualified child “one memorable wish.” A Wish Come True,
Inc. was the first organization of its kind in this area, granting
wishes to 12 children in the first year and now average approximately a
wish a week.
The growth of
the organization has been truly
remarkable. Wishes range from gifts of computers, shopping sprees, pets,
bedroom makeovers & furniture and trips to Disney World. Trips have
also been provided to Hawaii, Cancun, Grand Canyon, the Super Bowl, MLB
All-Star Game, World Series, Olympics and an occasional celebrity meet
and greet. Every trip includes the entire family! They need this time
together, set aside their problems and just have fun, laugh and
enjoy each other. A Wish Come True makes all of the
arrangements.
The
average cost
of a wish is between $5,000 to $7,000 depending on the wish, size of the family and if any special medical equipment is needed.
Granting over a wish per week, it is abundantly clear there
are a lot of generous, thoughtful people working together to ensure
every child who medically qualifies for a wish receives one. With the
help of some very special people, using their exceptional fundraising
talents, no child has ever been denied for lack of funds. This is a
local organization helping local children from Rhode Island and areas of
southeastern Massachusetts. The money raised here - stays here!
Supported by
a talented, dedicated Board of Directors, and many hard working
volunteers, Rosemary Bowers is still here today. Our
office and part-time staff is located in Warwick, RI and
available weekdays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Today
more than ever, A Wish Come True needs your help. Volunteers are
the key to this organizations’ long, successful history of putting
smiles on the faces of some very courageous children. If you would like
to become part of making a difference in a child’s life, please contact
A Wish Come True, Inc.
.

A Wish Come True, Inc.
1010 Warwick Avenue
Warwick, RI 02888
401♦781♦9199
Fax: (401) 781-6227
rosemary@awishcometrue.org
"Dreams are only A WISH away"