Annual regatta fundraiser highlighted at Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Gala
Special to the Transcript
Cottage Park Yacht Club (CPYC) was honored with the 2025 Community Hero Award at the 2025 Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island Gala, held on April 5 in Boston. The award recognizes outstanding support of Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island in granting life-changing wishes for local children with critical illnesses, and highlights contributions of significant time, talents, and resources to the cause.
For 30 years and counting, the members of CPYC have hosted an annual Make-A-Wish Regatta to benefit the charity. The 30th anniversary of the regatta in 2024 shattered records, raising an incredible $93,000 last August. This milestone brings total contributions to Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island through the event to nearly $1 million.
The Make-A-Wish Regatta has grown into a beloved summer tradition honoring both the Make-A-Wish mission and a love for the sea and is among the longest-running and most successful community events supporting Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The event involves hundreds of people and boats, and features course areas in Boston Harbor for both youth and adult sailors, as well as fundraising activities throughout the weekend.
Accepting the award at the Make-A-Wish Gala—which brought together nearly 600 Make-A-Wish supporters, recent wish recipients, and members of the alumni Wish Community for an evening of storytelling and generous fundraising—was John Cataldo, chair of the Make-A-Wish Regatta.
“Being part of this mission has shown me the true power of a wish, not just for wish children and their families, but the connection and inspiration that come for all of us who are part of making wishes come true,” said John. “This isn’t just a fundraiser, it’s a family. A family that has grown between our members and Yacht Club supporters, the staff and volunteers at Make-A-Wish, and the wish families.? I accept this award on behalf of an incredible community of people—the Cottage Park Yacht Club members and friends—who have made the Make-A-Wish Regatta a very special tradition.?It’s a community that shows up loyally and has worked hard every year for 30 years, not because they have to, but because they believe in what we’re doing.”
“The members of Cottage Park have been so steadfast in their support of local wish children,” affirms Mariame Sano, Director of Community Partnerships for Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island. “They have built a lasting, joyful tradition that is the epitome of community fundraising, bringing together so many people year after year to raise funds and help our wish children and their families know they are not alone.
“Cottage Park members’ passion for and commitment to our mission is unsurpassed. Their recognition as our 2025 Community Hero speaks to the incredible hope and joy that this exemplary group have helped bring to wish children through the granting of their wishes,” said Sean Holleran, Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island CEO. “The Cottage Park community firmly believes in the power of a wish to transform the lives of children living with critical illnesses and we are proud to count Cottage Park as a true partner in wish granting.”
Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island is working to fulfill the wishes of 120 local children between Memorial Day and Labor Day during the Summer of Wishes. To learn more about the many ways businesses, organizations, and individuals can help make wishes come true, visit www.massri.wish.org/together.
CPYC’s 2025 Make-A-Wish fundraising weekend will be August 1-3. Friday night will kick off with the Summer Soiree, featuring tastings from local restaurants, breweries, wine and spirits, silent auction and raffles, and live music. Regattas for youth and adults start Saturday, after which there will be a family friendly dinner, silent auctions and raffles. Regattas finish up on Sunday with a cookout and awards. For more information about how to donate and participate this fantastic community tradition, visit www.cpyc.org/makeawish.
The Cottage Park Yacht Club has been a center of yachting in Boston Harbor since its founding in 1902. It is an organization that encourages family participation and offers numerous other activities, such as bowling leagues, social functions, youth sailing programs, and much more. It serves Winthrop and Greater Boston communities.
This year’s Make-A-Wish fundraising weekend will be August 1-3. Friday night will kick off with the Summer Soiree, featuring tastings from local restaurants, breweries, wine and spirits, silent auction and raffles, and live music. Regattas for youth and adults start Saturday, after which there will be a family friendly dinner, silent auctions and raffles. Regattas finish up on Sunday with a cookout and awards. For more information about how to donate and participate this fantastic community tradition, visit www.cpyc.org/makeawish.