Big Y celebrates 80th birthday by supporting Make-A-WishDate: 3/11/2016 CHICOPEE – Some birthday parties have cake and ice cream. The one for Big Y Foods will have community service, as well.
“It’s our 80th year. How do we celebrate?” Claire D’Amour-Daley, vice president of Corporate Communications for Big Y Foods, Inc asked. Her answer? Different community events throughout the year.
One of those events is a fundraising campaign for Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
The campaign kicked off March 3 at the Big Y World Class Market in Chicopee. “Wish Stars” will be sold at each of the company’s locations for $1 each through March 30. The money raised will help grant wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.
On March 17, Big Y will match all Wish Star purchases and any additional donations up to $8,000.
D’Amour-Daley said this was the first time the grocery company had partnered with Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island. She said the goal is to raise $150,000. The average “wish” costs about $8,000.
To help kick off the effort, Olivia Ryan of Wilbraham attended with her mother Jessica and grandmother Patty. Olivia, who has a seizure disorder, had her wish granted in October 2015 when she, her mom and grandmother were flown to Los Angles, CA so she could meet one of the stars of the TV series “K.C. Under Cover,” actress and singer Zendaya.
Patty said the four-day visit included meeting the actress and other cast members of the show on its set. She said everyone her family met was “very warm and welcoming.”
Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island grants wishes for children between the ages of 2½ and 18 years of age with life-threatening medical conditions. To learn more go to www.massri.wish.org.
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