Milford boy sees his Make-A-Wish dream come true

MILFORD — Anthony Mouio could have chosen a trip to Walt Disney World, or to meet his favorite celebrity. But given the chance of a lifetime to have a wish granted, he wished to spend time with his family.

Anthony is a 7-year-old from Milford who was diagnosed with a brain tumor at five months old. He also has had epilepsy since having brain surgery. Make-AWish Connecticut recently granted his wish for a camper with bunk beds so his family can take road trips.

Anthony said he loves spending time with his family.

“They are my favorite,” he said. Sarah Muoio, Anthony’s mother, said said the camper is great for the family because it would make it easier to get Anthony to hospitals when they are on the road, and would help keep him safe from COVID-19.

Make-A-Wish Connecticut partnered with radio personalities Chaz and AJ to raise funds to purchase the $14,500 camper. The fundraising started on Monday but on Thursday, the duo hosted a live fundraiser at the Milford Green.

Chaz (the two do not use their full names during publicity appearances) said the number one thing they can do as a radio program is help local people.

“And once we heard Anthony’s story, we knew we had to get the word out and make his wish happen,” he said.

Sarah Muoio said Anthony was selected by Make-A-Wish to have a wish granted when he was three years old, but she said they waited to allow him to make the choice for himself.

“We got on Zoom and he just blurted it out that he wanted a camper,” said Muoio. “He sacrificed so much so we wanted him to pick what he wanted.”

At the Milford Green, family and friends gathered to show their support, and Milford Mayor Ben Blake read a proclamation declaring it Anthony Day in Milford.

“Anthony is a force of positivity in the community, and is always smiling,” said Blake. “This past year he won the youth mayor sward for elementary students.

In fact, Anthony’s positivity is so ingrained that when he was first asked what he wanted as his Make-A-Wish, he said he wanted to give toys to all the children in Connecticut hospitals.

“We told him that was great but we wanted him to choose something for himself,” AJ said.

During the event, Make-A-Wish officials learned that the fundraising efforts had reached their goal, and the cost of the Muoios’ camper had been raised. This led to a slight change in plans, as AJ, dressed as Captain America because that is Anthony’s favorite superhero, had been planning to walk around the Milford Green to collect donations.

“Instead of walking around asking for money I’m going to do a victory lap,” he said, after finding out the total had been reached.

Robert Muoio, Anthony’s father, said he considered Milford the best place to live because of how supportive the community has been.

“The Police Department and Fire Department came out to support Anthony and that made him smile,” he said.

Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media Above, Make-A-Wish recipient Anthony Muoio, 7, of Milford, receives a proclamation from Mayor Ben Blake during a city ceremony and WPLR radio interviews on the Green in Milford on Thursday. For his wish, Anthony, a brain tumor survivor, will receive a camper for his family. At right, Anthony gets an impromptu lift from former professional wrestler and Micalizzi’s Italian Ice owner Jay Piccirillo.