Local Spotlight: A Wish Come True

October 14, 2019 · 3 min read

There are plenty of charities around the United States that aim to provide certain children with funds to follow their dreams, but none quite like A Wish Come True. This volunteer-run organization has been around for more than three decades, helping the children in and around the Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts area. Qualified children can receive funding to follow a specific dream, ranging from getting a pet to bedroom makeovers to family vacations. We thought that A Wish Come True deserved a shout-out, which is why we put together this guide explaining who they are and what they do.

Their Story

Established in 1982, A Wish Come True is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit. Their mission is “to grant medically qualified children between the ages of 3 and 18 one memorable wish.” This was the first organization of its type in Rhode Island, and they completed 12 wishes in the opening year and now average 3 wishes per month.

Granted Wishes

The best way to learn what this charity does is to see past wishes that have been granted: shopping sprees and cruises, trips to Disney World, celebrity meet-and-greets, and more. Every wish is unique, and A Wish Come True has completed over 1,600 wishes in the past 37 years. Average wish costs come in between $5,000 to $7,000 and are dependent on the parameters of the wish and medical needs. "A Wish Come True is always proud to partner with Speedcraft Nissan. The community support is greatly needed as we serve our local children," stated Mary-Kate O'Leary, Executive Director. "The wish we received gave us the hope and joy we needed at a time when we thought we would never smile again. A special thank you to all those that support A Wish Come True," stated Janice, a Wish Mom.

How to Help & Refer

Regardless of how busy you may be, there are several things that you can do to support the organization. One of the easiest ways to help is to simply register A Wish Come True as your preferred charity the next time that you’re purchasing something on Amazon. The Kids Helping Kids program allows younger people to raise funds in a variety of ways—volunteer events, car washes, bake sales, dances, or a one-off event—for Wish children around Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. For bridal showers as well as baptisms and baby showers, A Wish Come True offers a one-of-a-kind “thank you” for your guests. These thoughtful cards each have a custom message to let your guests know a donation was made on their behalf.

Get Involved with A Wish Come True

We hope that you enjoyed learning about A Wish Come True and how the organization assists children around Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts in fulfilling their dreams. There are many ways that you can get involved with the organization, too. Whether it’s a donation, volunteerism, or a corporate partnership, anyone can support their mission.

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Mar 21, 2020 in Local News and Events

Best Places to Grab a Drink near Warwick RI

Grabbing a drink doesn’t limit you to the local liquor store or the six-pack shoved in the back of your fridge. You want atmosphere and a place to hang out with your friends where you can get some wings or a basket of fries to eat. Come Friday, you need it! It’s five o’clock somewhere, right? Read further for the best places to grab a drink near Warwick, RI, where you can kick back and relax! Bo’s Bar & Billiards In the mood for pool? Bo’s Bar & Billiards knows it, and that’s why their pub features 25 pool tables for you and your billiard buddies to take over. Need to zone out? Watch one of 22 big-screen TVs scattered throughout the bar. Choose from 20 different draft beers and 100 various liquors for the friendly bartenders to mix and match or create your favorite drink. Be sure to check out the various specials throughout the week. Monday nights, treat yourself to All You Can Eat Wings. Squelch your craving for a margarita on Taco Tuesdays. On Wednesdays, celebrate the ladies with Ladies Night, and on Sunday, enjoy free pool all night and 20 cent wings. Check them out on Facebook! Boneheads Hang out at Boneheads where their wings and entertainment rock! Wing lovers bond over 55 spicy, sweet, and savory sauces and over 25 distinct rubs. Rock fans who relish a flavorful burger will love the Crazy Train, which has pulled pork and buffalo cheese sauce. Vegan fans can dig into the Robert Plant, made with black beans and sweet potatoes. Live bands take the stage on the weekends to rock the house. Tune in to one of the 10 different TVs and projection screens showing movies, sports, and more. Order drinks up from a full bar with specialty cocktails, including seasonal drinks, which appear on their Facebook page. On the Roch’s Neighborhood Restaurant & Pub Welcome home to On the Roch’s Neighborhood Restaurant & Pub! Your home away from home will become your new hangout with friendly wait staff and a cozy atmosphere. Walk in to live music every Friday and Saturday night and trivia on Wednesday evenings. Order a drink from their great selection of craft beers or try out a cocktail special. Plenty of healthy options and comfort food staples populate the large menus. Let your eyes grow wide when you get the huge portions they serve—but don’t worry; you can always get a doggy bag! Night owls enjoy late-night dining. Visit their Facebook page for a peek at their menu. Time to Grab a Drink near Warwick RI Even if it’s noon now, it’s five o’clock somewhere. So, meet up with some friends and grab a drink near Warwick, RI, at one of these three kick-back-and-relax neighborhood pubs.

Mar 18, 2020 in Local News and Events

Local Spotlight: Clean Water Action

Water is unavoidable. 71 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered in water. 60 percent of your body is water. With water being inescapable, we should do everything to keep it as clean as possible. With the Clean Water Act of 1972 as their founding principle, Clean Water Action works to protect the environment as well as our health. Keep reading to learn more about this organization and their dedication to clean water! Decades of Fighting: Clean Water Action History Founded in 1972, Clean Water Action has worked for nearly 50 years with the mission of keeping our waterways clean, our environment safe, and our bodies healthy. This is achieved by organizing strong grassroots organizations as well as campaigning for environmentally friendly candidates to win office. Some of the ways Clean Water Action goes about this include: Removing toxins from products Protecting from drilling, fracking, and power plant pollution Supporting strong clean water laws In a nutshell, Clean Water Action works to support small organizations and candidates who are supporters of clean water around the world. Threats to Water With water being such a crucial part of our daily life, Clean Water Action fights to make the water that we drink and bathe in, and that supports our ecosystems as clean and fresh as possible. Despite their efforts, there are still factors that are threatening their efforts. These threats include oil, climate change, and waste. Single use products are a major contributor to water waste. Items like plastic bags, food packaging, water bottles, and many other items end up in our rivers, lakes, and oceans. Clean Water Action works to fight the use of singe use products on local and national levels by speaking to businesses and politicians alike. Ways to Get Involved With their lifelong dedication to clean water, Clean Water Action has made getting involved easier than ever. Plus, they offer several different ways to get involved with the organization as well as several informative resources. Just a few of the ways you can get involved with Clean Water Action include volunteering, donating, and making environmentally friendly choices. Volunteer Volunteering your time to help keep our water clean is a fun and rewarding way to pave a path for a cleaner future. Several events are held annually. The best way to stay on top of these volunteering events is to check out their Facebook page. Donate Those who might not be able to volunteer are welcome to make a donation towards their cause. You’ll even have several different ways you can donate: monthly gift, gift of stock, legacy giving, or a donation to celebrate or remember someone. Make Good Choices Making better, more environmentally friendly choices is an easy way to support Clean Water Action. Switching from power plant energy to clean, renewable energy is a simple way you can ensure a better future for future generations. Get Involved with Clean Water Action Today Are you ready to take the first step to making Earth a cleaner, safer place? If so, Clean Water Action is a great place to start. With several volunteering opportunities as well as a wide array of ways you can give back, Clean Water Action makes helping fast, fun, and easy. What are you waiting for? Get involved with Clean Water Action today!

Nov 18, 2019 in Local News and Events

Local Spotlight: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island

>>> Follow them on Facebook! <<< The future is bright thanks to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island. This influential non-profit has been able to make a difference in the lives of many young Rhode Island residents. Do you have what it takes to be a Big and give back to your community? Want to learn more about BBBSRI? Continue reading to see how this organization has made an impact over the years. All Youth Should Be Able to Reach Their Potential Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island seeks to ensure all youth are able to achieve their potential. The organization seeks to do this through one-to-one mentoring opportunities as well as through embracing diversity and inclusiveness to cultivate a positive environment. Mentoring programs have been shown to be influential, providing benefits to those who participate. When a Little has a Big, they feel more confident in their ability to complete work than children who don’t have mentors. Adult role models can play a role in the lives of the youth of Rhode Island. These role models are selected and trained to help children cope with peer pressure, think critically, and become involved in social activities. Give Back to the Community By Becoming a Big Have you always wondered if you’re cut out to become a Big for a Little in need? Being a mentor is a big deal, and it’s those everyday moments that can make all the difference in someone else’s life. You’re required to be caring, consistent, and willing to develop a friendship with a child. The main priority is to build strong, long-term relationships and provide growth for all parties involved. January is National Mentoring Month, and there’s never been a better time to step in and make a difference in someone else’s life. 100% of financial contributions to BBBSRI goes back to programs to provide background checks, volunteer trainings, and dedicated match support for their Bigs and Littles! By making a donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island, you can significantly change the direction of a child’s life in a BIG way. Your gift makes it possible for the agency to provide caring adult mentors for over 300 boys and girls throughout RI. Visit BigsRI.org to see how you can make a financial contribution. Make a Donation and Get Involved Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island operates the donation center program in partnership with Savers thrift store. Gently used clothing and household items can be donated to help the youth in the community reach their potential. Donating is a breeze, too. Free home pickup service is available, and there are many donation drop-off spots located throughout the Ocean State. Visit DonateRI.org to schedule a pickup or find a drop-off location. Acceptable items include toys, clothing, bedding, kitchen wares, and sporting goods. Get in touch with Big Brothers Big Sisters Rhode Island if you have any further questions about what you can donate. Big Brothers Big Sisters Makes a Difference In Rhode Island Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island has been able to make an impact over the years right here in Rhode Island. Want to become a Big and make a difference in a child’s life? Thinking of getting involved? Have goods to donate? There are so many different ways to interact with BBBSRI. Explore them today!