Children’s Wishes Executive Director Mary O’Rourke recently joined host Vic Edwards on Cumulus Community, a weekly public affairs program highlighting organizations and issues affecting the local community.
During the interview, Mary discussed the history of Children’s Wishes, the families the organization serves, and the many ways its work extends beyond granting a single wish.
Founded in 2009, Children’s Wishes grants wishes to children between the ages of two and a half and 18 who are facing life-threatening medical conditions. While most of the children served are from Rhode Island, the organization also supports some families from nearby Massachusetts.
Because Children’s Wishes remains locally focused, its team is able to build lasting relationships with wish families.
“We’re still in touch with families right from the very beginning,” Mary explained. “We’re able to offer them that ongoing support.”
Wishes as Unique as Each Child
A wish may be a family trip to Disney, but every child has different interests and dreams. Children’s Wishes has helped create experiences ranging from trips to Hawaii and Google headquarters to a recent visit to WrestleMania in Las Vegas.
Other wishes may happen closer to home. One young man, for example, wished for a home gym.
The process is never rushed. Children and their families are given the time they need to decide what would be most meaningful to them.
“The sky’s the limit,” Mary said. “We meet with the families and try to make these dreams come true for these kids.”
Children’s Wishes has granted 151 wishes, with an additional 33 wishes currently in progress.
Supporting the Entire Family
The interview also highlighted the organization’s extensive family programming. A child’s illness affects parents, siblings and the entire family, so Children’s Wishes works to provide opportunities for families to connect, relax and support one another outside of hospitals and medical appointments.
Programs and resources include:
The On Par Golf Academy
Wishing You Wellness
The Journey Fund
Words for Wishes
The Connect Fund
Brinn’s Closet
Seasonal family gatherings and picnics
The returning Starbound Performing Arts Program
These programs give wish children and their siblings opportunities to learn new skills, express themselves and spend time with other families who understand the challenges they are experiencing.
Mary shared the story behind Brinn’s Closet, which provides costumes and dress-up clothing for children. The program was inspired by Brinn, who wore 33 princess dresses during her radiation treatments.
Through partnerships with local organizations, Children’s Wishes also offers activities such as golf lessons, wellness opportunities, performing arts and country line dancing.
Creating Moments of Joy
At the heart of every wish and every program is the opportunity to create joy during an incredibly difficult time.
Seeing a child who has been through so much smile and relax is meaningful not only for that child, but also for parents and siblings.
“There are positive things happening in the midst of all this heartache,” Mary said.
Listen to the full Cumulus Community interview below to learn more about Children’s Wishes, its programs and the families it serves.
To learn more about Children’s Wishes, support a wish or get involved, please explore our website.
We are excited to announce that Heather Abrahams, MD, FAPA has joined as an Elite Sponsor of the Children’s Wishes Passport Gala!
📅 Date: Friday, September 19, 2025
📍 Location: Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, Cranston, RI
⏰ Doors Open: 6:00 PM
👔 Dress Code: Black Tie Optional
Guests will enjoy an elegant cocktail hour followed by a sit-down dinner, with opportunities to bid in our silent auction and take part in the exciting “Wish in a Bottle” raffle for a fantastic prize. The evening will feature live music and dancing, along with the chance to mingle with our Wish Kids, whose stories bring the mission of Children’s Wishes to life.
Join us for a magical evening of celebration and generosity, all in support of granting life-changing Wishes for local children.
👉 To become a sponsor, donate an auction item, or purchase your table or tickets, please visit:
childrens-wishes.org/passport-gala/
On Saturday night, August 23, 2025, the Bryant University Physician Assistant Class of 2027 hosted their annual Benefit Gala, raising an incredible $11,000 in support of Children’s Wishes!
The evening was filled with inspiration, celebration, and generosity. Wish Kids Austin and Antonio took the stage to share their powerful stories and experiences as Wish Kids, reminding everyone in the room why the work of Children’s Wishes matters so deeply. To close the night, Tessa proudly accepted the check on behalf of all our Wish Families.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Madeline Murphy, Karalyn Georgopoulos, and Erica Horowitz for their outstanding dedication in organizing such a meaningful event. We are also grateful to the sponsors—Rhode Island Medical Imaging and The Maddie Potts Foundation—for helping make this magical evening possible.
Because of the compassion and commitment shown by the Bryant PA Class of 2027 and all who attended, more local children will experience the joy and healing power of a Wish.
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.
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.
