WISHES GRANTED

WISHES GRANTED

by | Oct 31, 2021 | 2021 November December, R.S.V.P. AUSTIN, Parties

Make-A-Wish Night of Wishes Dazzles

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Chris Caselli, Julia Franco and Mary Holguin

THE SETTING: The Fairmont Hotel was recently the setting for the Make-A-Wish Night of Wishes gala. Over 250 of the Capital City’s philanthropists and community leaders turned out in person…with another 250 guests attending virtually for an incredible night of fun and fundraising that those fortunate enough to be a part of will not soon forget.

 

THE STYLE: From the second the black-tie crowd entered the foyer of the venue, partygoers knew they were in for a special evening. The festivities began with a VIP cocktail reception where the organization’s patrons sipped cocktails, socialized with friends, and posed for photos on the step and repeat to commemorate the event.

 

The action then moved to the Fairmont Ballroom for the program. Emcees Allison Miller and Cariel Rentas effortlessly kept the festivities flowing and the audience engaged in the action-packed evening. As guests dined on their delectable multi-course meals, they were treated to touching stories from several testimonials from children whose dreams came true due to the efforts of Make-A-Wish. The evening was capped off with a live auction and paddle raise, which included several experiential packages like luxury getaways to Costa Rica, Lake Tahoe, and Willamette Valley Wine Country in Oregon.

 

THE PURPOSE: The event raised over $900,000 for Make-A-Wish Central and South Texas, which provides life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses. Since its founding in 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted over 315,000 wishes to children throughout the United States.

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BEYOND ANY WISH

BEYOND ANY WISH

by | Nov 1, 2020 | 2020 November December, Parties, Austin

Make-A-Wish Of Central And South Texas Celebrates 35 Years In The Region

 

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Emmy Baysden, Rick Cortez Photography, Mary Holguin, Belinda Lee and Lexie Yut

THE SETTING: Before COVID-19, the Four Seasons in Austin was the setting that celebrated a notable milestone of one of the city’s most beloved philanthropic organizations. Close to 400 of Austin’s most notable sociables and V.I.P.’s were on hand for the Make-A-Wish of Central and South Texas’ 35th-anniversary gala. The theme of the evening’s event, Beyond The Glass Slipper, was the perfect way to describe a magical, memorable night in Texas’ Capital City.

 

THE STYLE: The cocktail-chic crowd began the evening in the ballroom foyer and patio, where after posing for pictures on the red carpet, they were treated to a lively cocktail hour. Guests mingled and sipped spirits while perusing an impressive array of live auction items. Then, the action moved to the ballroom for the main program.

 

Inside the main ballroom, as attendees dined on a delectable multi-course meal, they listened to a series of heartwarming testimonials of critically ill children, who had received wishes beyond their wildest dreams. The evening continued with a spirited live auction, which included bidding on a piece of artwork, by Jaylah Martinez, a Wish Kid, who recently succumbed to a rare form of cancer. The fun concluded with a lively after-party where guests danced the night away, perfectly capping off a fairytale night.

 

THE PURPOSE: The event, chaired by Abby Argo and Kendell Kelton, raised over $640,000 for the Make-A-Wish Central and South Texas organization. The mission of Make-A-Wish is to grant wishes to children with critical illnesses, which research has shown can give them a higher chance of survival.

Gallery

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