A Wish Come True to Honor Frank and Colleen Duffy at 2026 Ripples of Love Gala Presented By Massey and Associates
A Wish Come True will honor Frank and Colleen Duffy with the 2026 Lifetime Impact Award at its Ripples of Love Gala on Friday, September 19, 2026, at the Crowne Plaza Pavilion in Warwick, Rhode Island. The award recognizes their extraordinary compassion, leadership, and lasting commitment to families facing life-threatening childhood illnesses.
The organization’s largest fundraiser is expected to welcome 500 guests for an unforgettable evening dedicated to bringing hope to local wish families. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by a sit-down dinner, live and silent auctions, dancing, and live music by the Rug Burn Band. A limited number of tickets remain for this year’s Gala, and guests are encouraged to reserve their seats soon.
Their partnership with A Wish Come True began in 2019, when Colleen connected with Executive Director Mary-Kate O’Leary. It quickly became clear
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One of Frank and Colleen’s most meaningful contributions has been the creation of the Meghan K. Duffy Memorial Hardship Fund. Established in 2019, the fund provides emergency financial assistance of up to $1,500 each year to families facing both medical and financial hardship. Since its creation, the fund has supported 242 families and has provided $220,000 to help cover essential expenses including rent, mortgage payments, utilities, transportation, groceries, and other critical household needs.
“Frank and Colleen have shown what it truly means to turn unimaginable loss into hope for others,” said Mary-Kate O’Leary, Executive Director of A Wish Come True. “Their dedication has touched hundreds of families, making sure they receive not only financial support but also the reminder that they are never alone. We are honored to recognize their incredible legacy with our 2026 Lifetime Impact Award.”
As presenting sponsor of the Ripples of Love Gala, Jeff Massey, Founder and President of Massey & Associates, Inc., is honored to serve as the presenting sponsor of the Ripples of Love Gala and to support A Wish Come True’s mission of bringing hope and joy to children and families. We are proud to celebrate the Duffy family’s legacy and the many lives they continue to touch.”
The Ripples of Love Gala serves as A Wish Come True’s premier fundraising event, with proceeds supporting the organization’s mission of granting wishes and providing critical financial and emotional resources to children ages 3-18 with life-threatening illnesses and their families throughout Rhode Island, Central and Southeastern Massachusetts, and Eastern Connecticut.
In 2025, A Wish Come True celebrated a significant milestone by granting its 1,900th wish, while continuing to expand programs that support families before, during, and long after a wish has been fulfilled.
Sponsorship opportunities, tickets, and donations directly help create life-changing moments for local children and families while honoring the remarkable legacy of Frank and Colleen Duffy.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit awish.org or contact A Wish Come True at (401) 781-9199 or awish@awishcometrue.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 $220,000 in emergency financial assistance since 2019 to help families with essential needs including housing, utilities, and transportation during times of crisis.
