LEOMINSTER -- World of Hurt Wrestling, in partnership with Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island, will host Wrestling For Wishes at Leominster High School on Sunday, Oct. 27. All proceeds of this event will benefit the Make-A-Wish mission of granting life-changing wishes for local children battling critical illnesses.
This family-friendly event will feature seven matches with professional wrestling stars including Dijak -- a Bridgewater State alum from Lunenburg -- and Johnny Pierce, from Worcester, along with Shockwave the Robot, Mikey Cheese, Danger, Jeff Starr, Coach Kyle, Foxx Vineyard, the Russians, Victor Koloff, Tina San Antonio, Tira James, and more.
The event has been planned and organized by Dave DeJohn of Winchendon, director of operations for Hannaford Supermarkets. DeJohn, who has spent nearly two decades in the wrestling industry and over 30 years with Hannaford, connected with Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island earlier this year when his 16 Massachusetts Hannaford stores raised money for the organization during World Wish Month - the global celebration of the Make-A-Wish mission. DeJohn was touched by the mission and the wish families he met through the partnership, and he knew he wanted to do more. By tapping into his Hannaford team, he's been able to spread the word about the event.
"Working at Hannaford allows me to help our community by bringing my childhood dream of helping others through wrestling to life. Through my role I've been able to partner with our caring associates who dedicate their time to assure great success for organizations like Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island," said DeJohn. "Seeing the meaningful and long-lasting impact a wish has on a child and their family has been so moving, and I'm proud to be able to support them through Wrestling For Wishes. I'm especially excited to introduce wrestling to a new audience of Make-A-Wish supporters."
Wrestling For Wishes will feature mission moments including participation by members of the Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Wish Community -- the alumni network of local wish recipients and their families. Victoria "Tori" Morin, 18, of Walpole, who had her wish to see her favorite singer in concert in 2022, will sing the national anthem, and additional Wish Community members will have meet-and-greets with wrestlers, serve as honorary managers during the matches, and even help announce the matches.
"Our partnerships with local sports teams have provided such wonderful opportunities for our Wish Community members to come together with one another and to stay connected with our organization," said Monica Julian, Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Wish Community Manager. "Expanding our sports partnerships in this unique way just means more exciting ways to bring our families together, which is so important, as their trials do not end once the wish has been granted."
Also participating in the event will be Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island staff members including CEO Sean Holleran.
"Wrestling For Wishes is one of the newest of many examples of a community of people coming together in creative ways to support wish kids," said Holleran. "We're thrilled to head to Leominster later this month and to see a great turnout of wrestling fans and fans of Make-A-Wish."
General admission tickets for the event are available for $20 each and fans can also purchase meet-and-greet and photo opportunities. Attendees will have the chance to purchase raffle tickets to benefit the organization. There will be over 35 raffle prizes, with highlights like Boston Bruins tickets, children's toys including a Power Wheels and a bicycle, designer handbags, and more. All event proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish Massachusetts. To purchase tickets, visit wrestle24.givesmart.com.