Massachusetts teen’s Make-A-Wish spreads kindness with Party Animals

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A 17-year-old Massachusetts girl spent her Make-A-Wish with the Party Animals in Savannah, working with catcher Bronson Balholm on his Catch Kindness initiative.

Morning with Bronny

Amy and her family spent their entire morning with Balholm. One of the highlights for Amy was filming a special episode of Balholm’s vlog series, Cruising with Bronny.

The Malavich family then came to Grayson Stadium ahead of the 7 p.m. game to get a tour. The entire Party Animals team was waiting to surprise them.

Instead of their regular attire, players wore Catch Kindness T-shirts. Each shirt said the team was there for Amy and her sister, Amber.

Balholm launched his Catch Kindness campaign to bring light and positivity to local communities. Balholm said he was emotional when he learned Amy wanted to help promote his initiative.

“You can wish for whatever you want, and she decided to wish to help make a better world, help promote kindness, help spread kindness, that’s pretty dang beautiful,” Balholm said.

Roses with messages of kindness

During Banana Ball games, players typically go into the crowd to give roses to audience members. During this game, those roses had special messages of kindness tied to them. Each message was written by Amy, Balholm and her sister, Amber.

Amy also got the chance to dance with Balholm on the stadium’s big screen and was given the “Princess of the Game” title.

Amy said she wanted her wish to have a lasting impact.

“I just wanted to have something with a meaningful impact instead of just something like you go away for a week and you have a nice vacation, but you don’t really get anything out of it,” Amy said.

Amy’s mother, Jenny Malavich, said the family had been considering options for Amy’s Make-A-Wish for years.

“His mission to catch kindness is what she wanted to do so it was a perfect match,” Jenny Malavich said.

Amy and Balholm both said they learned lessons from each other.

“Everybody’s going through something, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t make your day better by helping make someone else’s,” Balholm said.

“Life can be hard so learn how to party, I mean have a good time with everything you do,” Amy said.