Events

Working with local sponsors on events is a wonderful opportunity for strong brands to come together to impact local communities. Together, we can engage with the public and highlight how corporate support transforms lives.

WISH BALL $1,400,000 raised.

187 wishes granted.

The Wish Ball is our annual signature ‘blue tie’ gala. The event brings donors, volunteers, and wish families together for an awe-inspiring evening of making wishes come true for children with critical illnesses in Central & Western North Carolina. Wish Ball guests can expect a memorable night with silent and live auctions, raffles, Fund-A-Wish opportunities, and dinner, drinks, and dancing. Of course, the evening wouldn’t be complete without a few special wishes being shared, too. For the first time since 2019, we were able to welcome our guests back in-person and shared the magic with those at home via a live stream of our program. This year, we made chapter history by raising $1.4 million for local wish families. The impact generated by our generous supporters guarantees that 187 children will experience the healing power that a wish experience provides. We look forward to the 2023 event, where we will celebrate our 20th anniversary of the Wish Ball! Learn more at ncwishball.org

Kentucky Derby Classic

$358,000 raised. 48 wishes granted.

The Kentucky Derby Classic is a memorable and inspiring afternoon that encompasses all things Derby, while raising funds to make life-changing wishes possible! The event includes a live and silent auction, Sports Book style bidding on your favorite horse, inspiring stories from local wish families, wine & spirits pull, best hat and attire prizes, and watching the Kentucky Derby live-streamed during the event. This year, we raised $358,000 at Derby! That means 48 wish kids who are currently waiting will be able to experience the power of a wish in the upcoming year. The highlight of the afternoon was watching 3-year-old wish kid Luca’s wish come true — he was granted the wish of a mini goldendoodle puppy: his new best friend, Bear! Learn more about the 2023 event at kentuckyderbyclassic.org

Over the course of two hike weekends, we had 166 hikers complete 28.3 miles in ONE life changing day — raising $464,732 for our Make-A-Wish chapter! These funds will assist in granting 62 wishes for local children with critical illnesses. The challenge in Trailblaze Challenge is two-fold: physical and philanthropic. While hikers train to take on the full 28.3 miles, they are also tasked with raising vital funds to help us create life changing experiences for children in Central and Western North Carolina.

At the 2022 event, we had the pleasure of hosting our Title Sponsor, DLP Capital, for their first Trailblaze Challenge experience, and we look forward to working with them in the future! Are you ready to take on the Challenge? Visit trailblazechallenge. org for more information.

Events

Every year on April 29th, we remember the wish that inspired the creation of Make-A-Wish. In 2022, our chapter celebrated in a big way, with an adventure-filled event at Carowinds, Make-A-Wish® Blue Milkshakes & Doughnuts, and a $20,000 match from a generous longtime donor.

World Wish Day Celebration At Carowinds

Thank you to all the wish families and volunteers who joined us at our World Wish Day Celebration at Carowinds on April 30. It was a wonderful day celebrating hope and joy with you all! Shout out to Vital Signs Accapella from Elon University for their wonderful performance.

Carowinds Blue Milkshake

A huge thanks to our longtime partner, Carowinds, for creating a Blue Unicorn Shake in honor of World Wish Day this year. The shake was sold throughout the whole month of April at Carowinds and raised over $5,000 dollars.

In The News

Thank you to all of the amazing media partners who helped us promote World Wish Day. In partnership with our PR Agency, Peggy Brookehouse Group, we were able to secure media spots with Queen City News, WCCB, and a very special edition of WBTV live from Carowinds!

New Krispy Kreme Partnership

On World Wish Day, Charlotte area Krispy Kreme locations celebrated with us by offering blue Make-A-Wish Doughnuts and Make-A-Wish Dozens. 100% of the proceeds went to granting wishes in the Charlotte area.

Meet Wish Kid Waylon

5-year-old Waylon from Connelly Springs, NC loves the outdoors. During his cancer treatments, Waylon and his family would often go on outdoor adventures when things got hard. For his wish, Waylon wished to go to Gatlinburg, TN to enjoy the mountains and visit Dollywood. His family loved mining for gold, relaxing in the outdoors, and spending time together away from doctors’ appointments and treatments.

When wish kids are granted a wish, they gain more than just a great experience for a day, two days, or a week. Waylon’s wish will bring him and his family joy for years to come.

I wish to go to Gatlinburg, TN

Waylon, 5 cancer

Connelly Springs, NC