history

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 ages 3-18 struggling with a life-threatening illness living in Rhode Island, Central and Southeastern Massachusetts, and Eastern Connecticut.

A Wish Come True has continued to grow and evolve to meet the changing needs of the children and families we support. What began in 1982 as a mission to grant wishes has grown into a commitment to support the entire family before, during, and after their child’s wish.

Today, we grant Magical Wishes to children ages 3–18 facing life-threatening illnesses throughout Rhode Island, Central and Southeastern Massachusetts, and Eastern Connecticut. Each wish is as unique as the child who dreams it. Wishes can include trips to Give Kids The World Village and the Florida theme parks, shopping sprees, bedroom makeovers, adaptive equipment, unforgettable experiences, and so much more.

For many of our Wish Kids, a wish is an opportunity to step away from treatments, appointments, and the challenges of everyday life and simply enjoy being a kid. It gives the whole family something exciting to look forward to and time together to create happy memories.As the needs of our families have changed, our mission has grown with them. Through our Embracing Families program, we provide continued support beyond the wish, including emergency financial assistance, holiday and birthday support, family events and experiences, gas and grocery assistance, hospital resources, and other support when families need it most.

More than four decades later, A Wish Come True remains committed to bringing hope, joy, and meaningful support to children and families throughout their journey.

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.

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 from 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.

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.

71%

More than 7 in 10 say managing distance/online learning for their children is a significant source of stress (71%).

70%

Meeting basic needs (availability to access food and maintain housing) are the cause of 70% of the stressors for parents.

66%

66% are concerned with access to health care services…. Now imagine the data on a family also struggling with a child that has a life-threatening illness.

2022

In 2022, A Wish Come True celebrates it's 40th anniversary committing to a goal of granting 40 wishes! We also had an incredible Wish Family Reunion.

2023

In April, thanks to the Finnegan Family, AWCT moves offices to the Finetco building in Coventry RI and reaches their goal of granting 43 wishes!
In September, the “Nap’s Nook” playroom was created in memory of Bob Napolillo. Its goal is to give families an area where they can safely play as well as find a time to relax in the relaxation room.

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.

2024

Wishes Take Flight Gala sets new record.

In September 2024, 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 March 2024, A Wish Come True expanded into Southeastern Connecticut. They have currently granted 2 wishes there with many more wishes to come.
Wishes Take Flight Gala

Lifetime Achievement Award

Wishes Take Flight Gala

Passion with a Purpose

Wishes Take Flight Gala

The Rodrigues Family

as of today...
1,900
wishes granted
& counting
1,289
rhode island
456
massachusetts
149
moved
5
connecticut

2025

A Year of Milestones.

In October 2025, we reached a historic milestone by granting our 1,900th magical wish to Isla. Her wish brought her and her family to Give Kids The World Village, where they experienced the joy and wonder of Disney and Universal together, creating lasting memories filled with hope and happiness.

Giving Hope to Families.

We also published Resilient Hearts: Navigating Your Child’s Life-Threatening Illness with Love and Hope. Created alongside 10 of our A Wish Come True families, the book brings together personal stories meant to support other families caring for a child with a life-threatening illness. Sharing these journeys also became a meaningful and healing experience for the families who bravely opened their hearts.
2025

A Wish Come True 1,900 Wishes Strong, Celebrated on the Court

2025

Meet the Families Behind the Book "Resilient Hearts"

ways you can help
donate
Ways to give
volunteer
sponsor an event
donate
phone
401-781-9199
address
6 jefferson drive,
coventry, ri 02816
contact
awish@awishcometrue.org
company ein
05-0398808
about us
historyfaqsboard membersstaff memberscorporate sponsorsnews & mediawish video libraryimpact reportsfinancial reports
granting wishes
refer a childmeet our wish kidstestimonials
embracing familes
resources for wish families
ways you can help
donateWays to givevolunteerhost/sponsor an event
upcoming events
donatedonate
EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 6TH, 2024
This Privacy Policy explains how A Wish Come True, Inc. collects, uses, and discloses personal information about our customers, prospective customers, and visitors to our website at awish.org.
‍
COLLECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
We collect your name, email, and phone number through our contact information form, and with your consent, we will send you text messages on a weekly basis if you've opted in. Reply STOP at any time to unsubscribe from text messages. We will never share your customer data with third parties for marketing or promotional purposes.
© 2025 A Wish Come True, Inc. All rights reserved.