NEWBURYPORT – On Saturday, April 30, 19-year-old Allison Brock of Newburyport, had her wish to plant trees granted. Allison has refractory epilepsy. To grant her wish, Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island worked closely with Newburyport’s Parks and Recreation Department. Allison and her family often walk the rail trail in Newburyport, so it was the perfect location for the nine trees planted in her honor.
During Saturday’s ceremony, Allison was joined by her parents, Nancy and Donald, her sister, Shannon, her grandmother, her service dog Sky, and about 25 friends, family, and members of the community. Also on site were Newburyport Mayor Sean Reardon, Parks Director Lisë Reid, Arborist Michael Hennessey, Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Wish Coordinator Sarah Bonner, and other representatives of Make-A-Wish and the Parks Department.
Allison and her friends and family helped plant three of the nine trees that are part of her wish. Allison, her family, and Mayor Reardon participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony. Allison’s mom, Nancy, said that this was the perfect wish for Allison because it combined three things that anyone who knows Allison knows about her – she loves the environment and nature and is passionate about conservation, her friends and family are incredibly important to her, and she has a kind heart and cares about giving back.
Mayor Reardon commented that Allison’s wish is especially important to the City of Newburyport, as conservation and addressing climate change are important concerns, and the timing of Allison’s wish was perfect, just after Earth Day and one day after Arbor Day.
In addition to the trees, Allison’s wish will include a bench and a plaque in her honor that will be installed later this spring.
