Childrens Wishes, Author at Children's Wishes

Passport Gala Recap

With days on our calendars moving faster than ever, we wanted to hit the proverbial “pause” button and reflect on our recent Passport Gala.

Just two short months ago, Wish Kids, families & friends from across the state gathered for a Paris-themed night to show support for our mission, our children and to celebrate the Journey of the Wish. The love we have for all our Wish Kids can move mountains and as the holiday season nears, they serve as the perfect reminder that anything is possible when you have a dream, courage and hope for the future.

Hosted by Mario Hilario, the event included food, fun, families, raffles and inspiration. Highlights from the night included:

COMPASS AWARD RECIPIENT
A compass guides, gives direction and stays the course…we present the Compass Award at our Passport Gala each year is to an individual who understands the impact of their generosity in service of our families and has exemplified what it means to be a compassionate and committed leader. Paul Tancrell was 2021’s honoree.

JOURNEY AWARD RECIPIENT
Every wish is a journey…the Journey of the Wish is filled with joy when a Wish is granted, with hope when support continues after the Wish and with pride as we join together with the community as a Wish Family. The Journey Award is presented to an individual whose life is the embodiment of the joy, hope and pride of the Journey. This year’s honoree was Lydia Stalaboin.

WISH IN A BOTTLE WINNER
This year’s Passport Gala “Wish In A Bottle” raffle included two tickets to a Brady vs. Belechick showdown at Gillette Stadium. Our winner Jaqueline Mello got to see the New England Patriots come within a goalpost length away from beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

As always, thank you to all who attended our Passport Gala and for supporting our Wish Kids. Look forward to seeing all of you again at next year’s Gala on September, 23rd, 2022.

Our Annual Holiday Toy Drive Has Begun!

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…”

In keeping with the spirit of giving we all experience during the holiday season, Children’s Wishes is announcing our Annual Toy Drive.

Our Wish Kids range in age from 2 1⁄2 to 18 years old. They love dolls, trucks, board games, crafts, sporting goods, puzzles, books, and DVDs. Please support our Wish Kids by donating new and unwrapped toys!

We are also collecting Amazon gift cards for our teens in $25 denominations.

Donations can be dropped off to our offices at 2364 Post Road, Suite 200, Warwick, RI during normal business hours, 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday. Keep an eye out for our donation boxes at local businesses in the area, too!

We’re asking for gifts to be donated by DECEMBER 15th.

Please help us bring the holidays home for our Wish Kids and their families.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Welcome Jack Hutson, Our Newest Board Member

Children’s Wishes welcomes its newest Board Member, Jack Hutson, CAE. Mr. Hutson is a Senior Vice President with New England Association Services, LLC. an association management company which provides business operation/executive director services to professional associations of various disciplines.

Jack has served as the key spokesperson for the RI Pharmacists Association, successfully representing the association at multiple press conferences, TV & Radio appearances and media interviews in connection to the licensing of Canadian Pharmacies in both 2004 and 2008. He actively worked with various lobbyists to accomplish association legislative goals, most notably legislation that gave pharmacists the ability to administer immunizations and increase patient access to such a critical preventative measure which has proved critical during the Covid 19 pandemic.

In addition, Jack brings to the Board decades of experience leading and directing logistics and volunteers for major annual events including the Gaspee Day Parade, as well as holding executive positions with the RI Psychological Association, Rhode Island Pharmacists Association, RI Commercial and Appraisal Board of REALTORS® and APA Division 42 Psychologists in Independent Practice.

Board Member Steven Cascione

Children’s Wishes welcomes Board Member, Steven Cascione. An award-winning meteorologist welcomed into the homes of Rhode Islanders for over four decades on WLNE-TV ABC6 and WPRI-12, Steven received the Silver Circle Award from the National Television Academy’s Boston/New England Chapter in 2006.

Today, Steven is the owner and president of Ocean State Weather and is a programming service officer for the RI Department of Transportation where he provides weather-related information for RIDOT and RI Emergency Management. He also provides the daily weather forecast on-air for WADK AM & FM radio in Newport, RI.

Sharing some thoughts following is Board appointment, Steven noted, “I feel honored to be part of this organization that helps families take care of the Wishes of their children in need, and if I can be a small part of this very important process, then it’s the very least I can do to give back to the community that has supported me in my TV career for so many years!”

Steven’s love of cooking has always been paramount, hosting the self-entitled cooking segment, Steve’s Cooking Up a Storm and Curtis/Cascione Cook-Off on WLNE and more recently, Flavors and Knowledge with chef Walter Potenza.

Introducing Board Member Ted DeNicola

Children’s Wishes welcomes Board Member, Ted DeNicola. A class of ‘74 Providence College graduate, Ted enjoyed a 35 year career at Providence College in alumni relations, development, and career counseling.

“In my heart and in my head, I sincerely feel that devoting my time to Children’s Wishes at this point of my life is a calling from God — to fulfill a passion and need to do my part in shining a bright light on the lives of those children facing overwhelming odds.” Ted noted after his official Board appointment. “Truthfully, it’s a way of me giving back for my own life’s good fortunes while helping God do His work. I feel blessed to be given this opportunity.” he added.

In May of 2019, Ted joined Balanced Wealth Management (BWM) where he transferred his past experience to the financial services sector. As BWM’s Director of Business Development, Ted focuses on client cultivation in the wealth management field where he continues to put his client relation, networking and relationship building skills to good use.

Ted has been happily married to wife, Ginger Votta DeNicola, for 43 years and is the proud father of sons, Ted, Andrew, & Jason all who, like their father, received undergraduate and graduate degrees from Providence College.

His previous board memberships include Bishop Hendricken High School, The Providence Diocese New Vision of Hope, St. Peter’s School, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.