Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas’ annual gala Wish Night 2025 brought together 400 guests at the Austin Marriott Downtown. This year’s event raised enough funds to grant more than 40 life-changing wishes for children facing critical illnesses across central and south Texas.
Thanks to co-chairs Susan and Tom Lucas and Ronda and Stuart Stahl, Wish Night 2025 was filled with powerful storytelling, heartfelt moments, and the uplifting spirit of the wish community. Attendees heard directly from wish kids and their families who have experienced the hope, joy, and unlimited possibilities only a wish can bring, including stories about fulfilled wishes to go to Walt Disney World Resort®, Snake Discovery, and the opera, along with wishes to wrestle an alligator and meet the Cincinnati Bengals.
These stories offered a powerful reminder of the Make-A-Wish mission and the impact that every gift, sponsorship, and act of kindness can make on children and their families during difficult times. Following the program, guests enjoyed a special performance from the Cory Morrow Band.
“Wish Night is more than a gala—it’s a celebration of the strength and resilience of the children we serve,” said Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas President and CEO, Andrea Taurins. “The overwhelming support from our community ensures that even more local kids will get to experience the joy of a wish, when they need it most.”
Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas is celebrating 40 years of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses across 40 counties in central and south Texas. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff, and volunteers, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. For more information about Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas, visit wish.org/cstx
Photography by: John Cabuena
