Nonprofit organization Make-A-Wish® Philippines has partnered with GMG Productions for a special fundraising performance that aims to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Through a local production of the award-winning Broadway musical, “Come From Away,” the partnership aims to bring a lifetime of hope to children in need with this special night of entertainment.
Based on real events, “Come From Away” is set in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, where 38 planes carrying 7,000 passengers were grounded right after the September 11 attacks. Despite growing tension in the country, the local townsfolk offered their homes and hospitality to the stranded strangers, welcoming them as neighbors in their time of need.
In real life, one of the grounded planes was a Make-A-Wish flight, carrying children with critical illnesses and their families on the way to Disney World, Florida. Due to the postponement of the much-anticipated trip, the town came together to throw a party for the children, complete with mascots, music, cakes and clowns. This is just one of many stories from Gander that inspired the musical, showing how kindness can help change people's lives.