MLS New England Revolution

Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island and the New England Revolution Grant Local Wish at Inaugural Make-A-Wish Night

October 25, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


BOSTON ---- Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island (www.massri.wish.org), in partnership with the New England Revolution, hosted "Make-A-Wish Night" at Gillette Stadium on Saturday in celebration of the Make-A-Wish mission of granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

At the game, the two organizations worked together to grant the wish of 9-year-old Owen Coole of Pepperell, MA. Owen, a soccer fanatic who has cystic fibrosis, wished to be a New England Revolution player for the day. His youth soccer teammates surprised him earlier this month with the news that his wish would be granted, and he had been anxiously awaiting his wish day ever since. This is the second wish the team has partnered with Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island to grant this year, with 12-year-old Noah's wish to be a better soccer goalie fulfilled this past February.

Upon arrival at the stadium, Revolution defender Andrew Farrell presented Owen with a custom jersey. In return, Owen surprised Farrell with the Revolution's 2023 Humanitarian of the Year Award for his work in the community and unwavering support of the club's community initiatives. As part of his experience, Owen toured the Gillette Stadium Lighthouse and got to serve as Honorary Captain, participating in the pregame coin toss. After taking in the game from a private suite with his family, Owen attended a postgame player meet and greet. Owen's father, Josh Coole, reflected on the experience, saying, "It was more than we ever could have expected. Owen was on cloud nine and still is. He has been wearing his gear nonstop, I don't think he will ever wear anything else."

A portion of ticket proceeds purchased by Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island supporters will go toward the organization's mission. Supporters came together before the match for a pregame party, generously hosted and catered by Make-A-Wish partner Red Robin at their Patriot Place restaurant. Members of the Wish Community - the organization's alumni network, made up of wish recipients and their families - were also invited to watch the game from a private suite, courtesy of the Revolution. "We're excited to partner with the Revolution to help spread awareness for our mission," said Monica Julian, Wish Community Manager. "The Revs have supported us by granting two life-changing wishes this year, and now have provided opportunities for many more members of our Wish Community to engage with the team through Make-A-Wish Night."

The Hero of the Match Award was bestowed upon Wish Community member Stephanie Bello of Roslindale, MA, mom to 2018 wish recipient Jose. Bello is a founding member of the Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Wish Community Council, a group tasked with engaging and creating a strong alumni network of wish recipients and families to amplify the power of a wish. Despite the challenges of caring for Jose -who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and is confined to a wheelchair-and her daughter Aliayah, Bello finds time to fundraise on behalf of Make-A-Wish and give back to other wish families in a multitude of ways to ensure the transformative impact of a wish reaches as many children and families as possible.

To learn more about how you can help create hope for local wish children through volunteering, donating, referring a child, or supporting Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island in another way, visit www.massri.wish.org/40years.

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