SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - On Thursday, the Boston Celtics helped four young basketball fans have their wishes come true thanks in partnership with The Make a Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Before they experience their VIP treatment at Friday night’s game, they got to pay a visit to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame where they were met with gifts and a few surprises.
The Make a Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island teamed up with the Celtics’ Shamrock Foundation and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame to create a special VIP experience for four young recipients.
“These four children tomorrow are going to have such a wonderful day. They’re going to start with escorts, VIP escorts over to the TD Garden. They will be courtside to watch the game. There’ll be other surprises for them. And, you know, with every wish, our goal is to hit the mark of joy. And I can’t imagine that even here today at the Hall of Fame, that won’t have already been met,” said Peg Wheble, the Regional Director of The Make a Wish Foundation of western and central Massachusetts.
The wish recipients included two who came from as far as Arizona and Pittsburgh, and two recipients of the Baystate, all of whom had to show strength and resilience to get through their ailments, and each of them excited to cheer on their beloved Celtics Friday night.
“My wish was to go to Boston Celtics courtside. And the reason I chose this is just, it’s a, I’m very privileged in my life, and this is an opportunity that I wouldn’t even be able to get with my privilege. So, I just, I don’t know, it just seemed like an opportunity that I couldn’t give up, like meeting star players maybe, sitting courtside for my favorite team,” said Leo Gonzalez, one of the recipients of the Make a Wish Foundation.
In preparation for Friday’s game, the kids got to tour the Hall of Fame, received customized trading cards and jerseys from Fanatics, and had lunch catered by Jersey Mike’s.
As for Friday’s game, they’ll receive a full police motorcade, and diplomatic security service escorts on foot from their hotel all the way to TD Garden. Their VIP experience will be completed with courtside access while meeting their favorite players, before they’ll get to watch the Celtics take on the Raptors in one of the luxury suites.
“Basketball has the ability to bring joy to everyone. These kids already exhibit so much resilience, so much courage. And we’re happy to help them make their wishes come true.”
Western Mass News is a proud media partner of The Make a Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
_Copyright 2026 Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved._