Adams School Raises Funds for Make-A-Wish

By Tammy Daniels - April 07, 2008
iBerkshires Staff

Students pose with checks made out to Make-A-Wish.View Slide Show

ADAMS — It started with some inspiring eggs and a jellybean contest, all to help out an organization that had made a fellow classmate's wish come true.

They thought they might make a few hundred dollars, but on Friday night, students at Adams Memorial Middle School applauded and whistled loudly as the Make-A-Wish Foundation was handed two very big checks (sizewise, anyways) totaling $2,500.

"It's what this community at Adams Memorial Middle School is all about," said Dominic Sacco, the school adjustment counselor. "It's all about coming outside yourself and doing something for other people ... I am so absolutely impressed. You did an awesome job with this."

Inspired by the experiences of eighth-grader Anthony "AJ" Cotie, the children raised $1,500 in just over three weeks. Friday's dance, raffle and bake sale capped off the fundraising effort.

Tina Oparowski, left, and Cynthia McGrath have been supplying brownies and cookies for bake sales.

AJ had been diagnosed with a cancerous growth on his liver after suffering severe stomach pains during a family trip to Lake George. On Friday, he took a microphone to tell his story to his classmates and to explain why he thought the charity they'd chosen to help was the right one.

Make-A-Wish volunteers had come to visit him in the hospital, he said, and asked what one thing he would wish for. He wanted a million dollars, but that wasn't going to happen; his second wish was a trip to Disney World.

"About two weeks later, I was at my home on a break from the chemotherapy treatment when a limousine rolled up into my driveway and took me and my family to the airport to fly to Florida," AJ said. "It was awesome."

The Coties spent a week in Orlando, getting a private tour of Disney World and visiting nearby parks, such as Universal. While he couldn't go on all of the rides because of his health, he got to play games, see exhibits and experience his first three-dimensional movie.

"I will never forget my trip to Disney World and my trip to Florida granted by Make-A-Wish," said the blond, tousle-haired teen. "For one week I felt like a normal kid again. I could play and laugh and have a good time and forget about my cancer."

AJ said he is cancer-free now: "I feel Make-A-Wish helped me through my dilemma and they gave me the strength and courage I needed to overcome my cancer."

The kids, lead by the peer mentoring group, had started the drive by selling plastic eggs with "positive" messages inside. It was right around Easter, so the eggs seemed appropriate, said Dominic Sacco, the school adjustment counselor.

The eggs were sold for 50 cents a piece and then donated back to be sent to children in hospitals. That was followed by a contest to guess the number of jellybeans in a jar for a dollar a chance.

"We sold the eggs and wrote messages we would like to get," said Taylor Kline, 11, of the peer mentoring group. "I though we'd get only, I don't know, maybe $500," 

Then the bake sales started, prompting two of the school's neighbors in the senior housing across the street to pitch in. Cynthia McGrath and Tina Oparowski donated cookies and brownies for sales, including Friday night's

"We keep in touch with them," said Oparowski, a Sprague Electric retiree, as she and McGrath watched the youngsters dancing in the darkened gym to music from DJ Larry Kratka. "They know us. They come to visit us after school."

Both women were included in the group pictures taken of the major players in the fund raising, which included a group of three from Greylock Federal Credit Union who brought along one of the big checks, this one for $1,000.

"We were really inspired by what the students at the school were trying doing," said Peter Mirante, vice president and regional branch manager for Greylock. "We try to support our local communities. We really try to get involved ... We had a great time; the kids were all excited."

AJ Cotie spoke about his experience with cancer and Make-A-Wish; Dominic Sacco is at right.

Mirante, with Steven Wisniowski, assistant branch manager, and Pam Dolle, who has a son at the school, said AJ was the real inspiration. "He's really the true hero."

Alison Irving, a five-year volunteer "wish granter" with Make-A-Wish, had driven from Worcester to be at the school for the event.

"It blew me away to see how much kids like you can come together to make a difference," she told the children seated in a circle around her. "Like A.J., because of you, one more child is going to be able to smile and have a shot at a normal life and to maybe find the motivation to fight a little harder."

As various student groups took turns having their pictures taken with the checks, Principal Kimberly Roberts-Morandi reminded the parents, kids and staff, "Don't ever think kids can't make a difference, don't ever think they can't have a big impact."