Shamrocks and Shenanigans

Shamrocks and Shenanigans Returns to Benefit A Wish Come True

A Wish Come True, the oldest wish-granting organization in Rhode Island, Central and Southeastern Massachusetts, and Eastern Connecticut, will host its annual Shamrocks and Shenanigans event on Friday, March 13, at the Venus de Milo on Veterans Memorial Highway (Route 6) in Swansea, Massachusetts. 

This high-energy, family-friendly evening invites guests to embrace their inner leprechaun, wearing festive green attire or costumes, and enjoy a night filled with laughter, music, and purpose. Proceeds from the event support A Wish Come True’s mission of granting magical wishes and providing resources to families who have a child ages 3 to 18 struggling with a life-threatening illness.

The evening includes dinner and drinks, a live auction, Fund-the-Need, raffles, and dancing to the music of local favorite All Horn’d Up.

“Shamrocks and Shenanigans is truly about joy,” said Mary-Kate O’Leary, Executive Director of A Wish Come True. “We want people to come ready to dress up and celebrate while knowing their night out is directly helping children and families who are facing incredibly difficult journeys. When our community shows up with this kind of spirit and generosity, it reminds our families that they are surrounded by love and support.”

The Wish Child being sponsored by this year’s event is Madison, a 15-year-old from Mansfield, Massachusetts. At just three months old, Madison’s family learned she had suffered a stroke, likely before or during birth, and she was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy, impacting her mobility, vision, and fine motor skills. Despite years of medical treatments and challenges, Madison’s strength and bright spirit shine through. Her wish is to experience the magic of Give Kids the World Village and visit Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld with her family.

"Each wish creates meaningful memories that stay with families forever,” O’Leary said. “It is about giving families time together that feels joyful and free from stress and worry. As we continue expanding our services, events like Shamrocks and Shenanigans help us meet the growing needs of families who turn to us for hope, comfort, and support.”

To date, A Wish Come True has granted 1,911 wishes, including 1,294 in Rhode Island, 462 in Massachusetts, 6 in Connecticut, and 149 who moved outside the region.

“Our events are about embracing families and reminding them that they are never alone on this journey,” O’Leary added. “When 500 people come together for a night like this, dressed in green and ready for some shenanigans, they are helping ensure that our wish children and families know they are not facing these challenges alone. The impact of that generosity reaches far beyond one evening.”

Additional information about Shamrocks and Shenanigans, including sponsorship opportunities and ticket purchases, is available at www.awish.org.

About A Wish Come True

A Wish Come True is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization granting magical wishes and providing resources to children ages 3 to 18 with life-threatening illnesses living in Rhode Island, Central and Southeastern Massachusetts, and Eastern Connecticut. In addition to granting wishes, A Wish Come True embraces families through programs such as the Meghan K. Duffy Memorial Hardship Fund, which has provided more than $200,000 in emergency financial assistance since 2019 to help families with essential needs including housing, utilities, and transportation during times of crisis.