Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana Newsletter: January 2024

NEWSLETTER

I wish to go I wish to go to Disney to Disney World! World!

Keilani, 5 Keilani, 5 lleukemia eukemia

APrincessExperienceofaLifetime APrincessExperienceofaLifetime

On January 24, Keilani, age 5, Leukemia, had all her magical wishes come true. This kind-hearted Wish Kid from Conroe, Texas, loves the color pink, all the Disney Princesses (especially Cinderella), and is obsessed with Barbies! This fairy-tale of a celebration gave Keilani a chance to meet her favorite Disney Princess with a Once Upon a Time themed send-off celebration from her dreams Sponsor Waste Connections helped make this magical day come true, with arts and crafts, delicioussnacks,andofcourse,princessgifts Duringthecelebrations,Keilani’smomsurprisedthe crowdwiththewonderfulnewsthatKeilaniisalmostdonewithhertreatments!

“IwanttothankyouallforallyouhavedoneforourlittleLani. “IwanttothankyouallforallyouhavedoneforourlittleLani. [Hercelebration]wassuchanamazingday.Wordscan’texpresshowthankful [Hercelebration]wassuchanamazingday.Wordscan’texpresshowthankful weareforboththeMake-A-WishFoundationandWasteConnections! weareforboththeMake-A-WishFoundationandWasteConnections! Everythingwassobeautiful!Laniwasdefinitelymesmerized;shelovedher Everythingwassobeautiful!Laniwasdefinitelymesmerized;shelovedher craftsandgifts!Y’allarethebest.Godblessyouall,”saidKeilani’smom. craftsandgifts!Y’allarethebest.Godblessyouall,”saidKeilani’smom.

WELCOMEMARI! WELCOMEMARI!

The Make-A-Wish team is pleased to welcome Mari Bosker as our new Senior Director of Corporate Engagement. Mari brings to the table a wealth of knowledge with over 20 years of experience in philanthropy, communications, and leadership development Most recently, Mari was the Senior Director of Development for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston. Mari enjoys playing tennis with her husband and her son and is a graduate of the University of Florida. Pleasehelpusinwelcoming,Mari!

We are busily at work securing our live and silent auction packages. But we ’ re thrilled to reveal a very special live auction package: a goldendoodle puppy, generously donated by Johnathan Walton, who became familiar with Make-A-Wish through a friend who lost her son. Walton is no stranger to Make-A-Wish and even donated a puppy to the Mid South auction last year. He is excited to be part of our inaugural event.

Our Wish puppy was born on February 1! We look forward to seeing her grow. From now until Wish Ball, she will be socialized and trained getting ready for her new family.

The Details

MAY 3, 2024 | POST OAK HOTEL

Registration Opens: 6 p.m.

Program: 7-10 p.m.

Afterparty: 10 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Hotel Accommodations: Take advantage of our room block options here.

Pictured:Johnathan Waltonatthe MidSouthAuction lastyear

Picture from the same litter our Wish puppy will be born into!

IIWISHTOGO... WISHTOGO...

SugarLand,TXnative,Joanna,isakind-hearted 15-year-old who loves adventure! She loves learning about new places and seeing all the world has to offer. When Joanna learned she would have a wish granted by Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana, she knew she wanted to travel to Hawaii to visit the beautiful sites, eat the delicious cuisine and visit family Before departing on her wish, Make-A-Wish, in partnership with ABC Supply, hosted the most wonderful Hawaiian wish celebration full of live Hawaiian dancers and music. ABC Supply even provided Hawaiian shirts that Joanna and her familyworewhentheygottoHawaii!

ALASKADREAMWISH

Mom shared “Our time there was so full of memories.Thankyouallsomuch.”

Upon returning home Mom also shared, “We are so thankful for Make-A-Wish and ABC Supply. Joanna finally visited not only Hawaii, but her uncle too. It was difficult to leave. Joanna's favorite part of the trip was swimming in the ocean. On the sunset cruise, we saw dolphins and whales. The whales came very close to the boat and the crewtoldusitwasrareforthattohappen;it wassoprecioustosee!“

For years, six-year-old, For years, six-year-old, Oliver Oliver, who has , who has a nervous system disorder, has been a nervous system disorder, has been dreamingofseeingtheNorthernLights dreamingofseeingtheNorthernLights. Using his imagination at home, he’s Using his imagination at home, he’s been exploring the wonders of Alaska been exploring the wonders of Alaska tthroughbooks;butgotthesurpriseofa hroughbooks;butgotthesurpriseofa lifetime when lifetime when Sun and Ski Sports Sun and Ski Sports revealed Oliver would get to see the revealed Oliver would get to see the Northern Lights in person on an Northern Lights in person on an amazing Alaskan adventure. Sun and amazing Alaskan adventure. Sun and Ski fitted him with the perfect warm Ski fitted him with the perfect warm weather gear, including a hat, jacket, weather gear, including a hat, jacket, boots, socks, gloves and goggles! He boots, socks, gloves and goggles! He lleavesinabout3weeks! eavesinabout3weeks!

A WISH ASSIST WIN! A WISH ASSIST WIN!

Despite looming bad weather, Zach, 17, from South Carolinagotachanceofalifetimetoattendthe2024 NCAA National Football Championship on Monday, January8 AnticipationranthickintheairasZachand his family traveled to NRG Stadium Anxious with the day’s excitement, Zach and his family were blown away by the private VIP experience waiting for him. Free food and drinks, a special photo set up, entertainment and the Heisman Trophy were a surprise they couldn’t believe! As a college football super fan, Zach was shocked he got to sit so close to the field. Excited cheers echoed through the stadium. Zach smiled from ear-to-ear throughout the entire game! Afterwards, he got to attend the trophy ceremonyanddidnotwanttomissaminute.

A VALENTINES WISH BOOST FROM NORTHERN TRUST

NorthernTrusthelpedprovidea meaningful touchpoint for our wish kids who are waiting on their one true wish by sending Valentine’s Day sprinkles along with a message of hope and love to over 1,000 wishkids.