Wish Night Gala Funds Life-Changing Wishes
More than 350 community supporters, donors, and sponsors from across the region gathered for the Make-A-Wish Central and South Texas’ 2026 Wish Night Gala at The Downtown Austin Marriott. The event raised $570,000 to help grant 50 life-changing wishes for local children facing critical illnesses. The night highlighted the power of a community united around bringing hope, joy, and strength to wish kids and their families.
The evening featured powerful moments that underscored the lasting impact of a wish, including 13-year-old Avery’s especially touching journey. Recovering from a rare endocrine disorder after enduring serious complications, her road to healing has been lengthy. Her wish was to meet a koala.
“Meeting a koala was everything I hoped for and more,” Avery shared. “It made me so happy, and I’ll never forget it.” Her wish created a moment of pure joy, offering a sense of healing and hope that extended far beyond the experience itself.
The standout moment of the night was the surprise wish reveal for 13-year-old Dominick, who suffers from a progressive neuromuscular disorder. The avid outdoorsman and Scout wished for an ActionTrack Chair that would allow him to hit the trails and experience nature again. The moment brought the mission to life, showing how a wish can lift a child’s spirits in the midst of an ongoing medical journey and create moments of joy when they are needed most.
Speaking about her son, Dom’s mom Elizabeth shared, "We are incredibly proud of Dom. Not only for all he has accomplished so far, but for strength, resilience, and light he carries with him each day. He inspires our family more than he will ever know. He is deeply loved and we are honored to celebrate this special moment with him.”
Amy King, 2026 Wish Night Chair and Board member, said, “Wish Night is about more than a beautiful evening. It's about ensuring that every eligible child in Central and South Texas receives their wish–without delay.”
Since 1984, Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas has granted more than 6,600 wishes in the local community, contributing to the more than 680,000 wishes globally since 1980.
To learn more or to become a WishMaker, visit wish.org.
