Inaugural Make-A-Wish Pickleball Classic Raises $25,000 to grant local children’s wishes

NATICK, MA – On Monday, July 14, pickleball players of all ages and skill levels came together to support Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island and the organization’s mission of granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

The inaugural fundraising event brought together 20 teams and raised over $25,000. Born from the idea of Make-A-Wish Board of Directors member Len Ho, Chief Legal Officer for Opensignal, and his wife Peggy Ho, General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer for Commonwealth Financial Network, the tournament was intended to provide an alternative to golf tournaments, giving non-golfers a way to support the charity through a day of friendly competition. “The Pickleball Classic was a fun way to engage more members of the broader community in the Make-A-Wish mission, whether they were avid pickleballers, beginners looking to try a new sport, or family and friends cheering them on,” said Len Ho, who lives in Wellesley with his wife Peggy and family. “We are grateful to the sponsors, players, volunteers, and spectators for a wonderful start to a new tradition.”

Event sponsors included Court Sponsor Len and Peggy Ho; Gold Medal Sponsor Fiddlehead Brewing Company and Team Mastermind; Silver Medal Sponsor Groundworks; and Bronze Medal Sponsors Chick-fil-A Framingham, Boston Cornhole, and Modera Wealth Management.

The Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Wish Community, the alumni network that keeps wish recipients and families connected to each other and the organization long after the wish is granted, was well represented at the event, which was held at Bosse Pickledom in Natick. Several wish parents played in the tournament, including Emily Viti of Milford, MA, mom to wish recipient Chris Hohn, 11, whose wish to meet David Ortiz was granted at Fanatics Fest in 2024. Emily and her partner placed third overall, and Chris, who lives with a progressive genetic condition, served as commentator for the tournament’s championship match. A huge sports fan, Chris hopes to someday have a career working in professional sports.

Wish recipient Elise Gauthier, 16, of Arlington, MA, whose wish to go to Hawaii was granted in 2022, performed the national anthem to begin the day. During a brief program, the organization’s Wish Community Senior Manager Monica Julian interviewed wish recipient Bethany Parke, 17, of Rochdale, MA. Parke, who was treated for pancreatitis, had her wish to go to Walt Disney World® Resort granted in 2017. She shared the lasting impact of her wish and the reason she stays involved with Make-A-Wish, saying, "Being a teenager, going to school, dancing, dealing with [my illness] is a lot to juggle and balance. But staying involved with Make-A-Wish helps me get through my days, it encourages me to keep going. It really inspires me — to run for Make-A-Wish, share my story...spread awareness."

Wish recipients and supporters in attendance also got to meet New England Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who attended the event with his family and played in the tournament.

Michael Vieira, VP of Advancement for Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island, was invigorated by the event, sharing, “The energy in the room for our first-ever Pickleball Classic was fantastic and reinforced for us that there’s a need for more ways for people to support our organization through sport. Each event we host introduces us to new venues, sponsors, partners, and individuals, each of which can make a meaningful difference in the lives of the families we serve.”

Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island is working to grant the wishes of 120 local children this summer. Learn more about the charity and how you can help fulfill life-changing wishes during this Summer of Wishes and beyond at www.massri.wish.org.

About Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. A wish can be a spark that helps a child believe anything is possible. In the face of life-threatening medical conditions, wishes enable children to experience profound joy, renewed strength and resiliency, and lasting hope to keep striving and dreaming for the future. Together with generous supporters and 500+ volunteers, the organization has granted the wishes of nearly 11,000 children in Massachusetts and Rhode Island since its founding over 40 years ago, and its vision is to grant the wish of every medically eligible child. For more information, visit www.massri.wish.org.

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