WayCo Raising Money for Make-A-Wish Foundation

WayCo Amateur Sports Development, Inc. (WASD) is honoring four Wayland residents who lost their lives far too soon by raising money for young people facing life-threatening diseases.

In honor of Lauren Astley, Dan Burgess, Eric Chase and Marina Keegan, all under 22 at the time of their deaths, WayCo is fundraising for the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

"Joyful, giving and hopeful are just a few of the words that aptly describe four young Wayland residents who sadly lost their lives way too soon," reads a WayCo press release. "It seems only fitting to honor and remember their lives by bringing joy into the life of a young person facing a life-threatening medical condition.

WayCo is a non-profit organization that brings basketball and softball games to Wayland each summer. 

It was founded in 2008 to honor Burgess, who, along with his 19-year-old friends, had formed a softball league for young men in 2007. WayCo generally donates about $1,000 in raffle proceeds each year to local organizations such as Parmenter Food Pantry, athletic teams at the high school, or local families facing difficult circumstances.

“This year, we decided to take on a bigger challenge,” explained Dave Burgess, WASD’s president and Dan Burgess' brother. “I decided this would be WayCo’s goal this summer: To bring joy into the life of a young child or teenager, and Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island seems like the right organization for us to support. This is an organization that brings happiness to lots of kids and their families so it seems like a good fit for us.”

WayCo Treasurer Connie Burgess explained that WayCo's administrators wanted to remember more than just Dan Burgess with the campaign.

"Our players have connections to the Astley/Dunne family, to the Chase family, and the Keegans so this is meaningful for them," Burgess said. "We wanted to honor Lauren, Eric and Marina, too, and we want their families to know that we are always thinking of them and remembering their loved ones.”

WayCo wants to grant a child his/her sports-related wish, such as meeting a famous athlete, taking lessons in a specific sport or attending a sporting event in another city. In order to pay all the necessary expenses, WayCo has set a fundraising goal of $4,000, much more ambitious than in summers past, according to the press release.

“We are asking each player to donate $10 and we’re seeking the support of the local business community,” explained Connie Burgess. “Dave [Burgess] got married in June, and his florist, Blooms of Hope of Belmont, is helping to kick off our effort by donating $600,  a portion of the proceeds from the wedding’s floral arrangements. This will get us started, and we’re hoping WayCo families, past and present, will support our efforts.” 

Community and business members are also invited to get involved in the effort.

WayCo players who donate will be entered in a raffle to win Celtics, Red Sox and Patriots tickets.

Donations should be payable to: WayCo Softball League, 136 West Plain Street, Wayland, MA 01778. Please write: Make-A-Wish in the memo section of the check.

WayCo is working with Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island, which will be the beneficiary of its fundraising efforts. For more information about the Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island, go to: www.massri.wish.org or contact Alexandra Van Strien, Special Events Coordinator, at (617) 367-9474.