News Summary
The 28th annual Wish Night Gala held at the Omni Dallas Hotel raised approximately $1.6 million to grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. Attendees enjoyed dinner, a live auction featuring luxury experiences, and shared inspiring stories from Wish Kids. The event highlighted the ongoing need for support, as over 1,100 children in North Texas are waiting for their wishes to be fulfilled. The gala’s success reinforces the importance of community involvement in making a difference in the lives of these children and their families.
Dallas, Texas – The 28th annual Wish Night Gala, a fundraising event for Make-A-Wish North Texas, successfully raised approximately $1.6 million at the Omni Dallas Hotel. The gala attracted a full ballroom of supporters for a night dedicated to granting wishes for children with critical illnesses.
During the event, attendees enjoyed a delightful evening filled with dinner, drinks, and dancing. A live auction featured lavish vacation packages and unique experiences to encourage philanthropy, including an eight-day big game hunt in South Africa and a five-night luxury stay in Costa Rica. Other auction items included a dinner in Tuscany with designer Salvatore Ferragamo and an exclusive experience at Paris Fashion Week.
In addition to the main auction, a silent auction showcased various items, including diamond earrings, unique paintings created by Wish Kids, and numerous getaway packages. The gala emphasized the pressing need for funds, as more than 1,100 children across North Texas are currently waiting for their wishes to be fulfilled. Make-A-Wish North Texas operates within a vast area encompassing 161 counties across North, East, and West Texas and has granted over 13,000 wishes since it was founded.
The evening also provided a platform for featured Wish Kids to share their inspirational stories. Among them was Alex Busby, who, after undergoing heart surgery, had his wish granted to become Maui from Disney’s “Moana,” culminating in a memorable trip to Disney’s Aulani resort in Hawaii. Another Wish Kid, Allie Gonzales, expressed how her own wish to visit Paris had motivated her to become a Wish Coordinator for the organization, reaffirming the positive impact the program has on the lives of young people and their families.
The gala was co-chaired by Alison Delzell and Paige Kelly, who were instrumental in organizing the event and promoting its success. Plans for the next annual Wish Night gala are already underway, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to providing moments of joy and hope for children experiencing severe health challenges and their families. The fundraising efforts are crucial in helping to personalize the journey of each child, easing the burdens they face during treatment.
As the night came to a close, it was evident that the collective efforts of attendees not only contributed to a significant financial boost for Make-A-Wish North Texas but also to an emotional and hopeful evening for the children and families served by the organization. The impact of such events highlights the importance of community support in fulfilling the desires of children who need a glimpse of happiness amidst difficult times.
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Additional Resources
- PaperCity Magazine: Make-A-Wish Night Dallas Fundraiser
- Dallas News: Make-A-Wish North Texas Wish Night Gala
- WFAA: Tale of Two Cities
- People Newspapers: Make-A-Wish Annual Wish Night Gala
- A to Z Sports: Cowboys News
- Wikipedia: Make-A-Wish
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