Celebrating our Community
At the beginning of our Fiscal Year 2027, we brought together our incredible Make-A-Wish community at two unforgettable Wish Insiders Summits, one in the East Bay and one in the South Bay. Together, we celebrated an extraordinary year of wish granting, honored volunteers and partners who went above and beyond for our mission, and looked ahead to what's possible in the new fiscal year. Thank you to those who joined us and to everyone who helps us bring hope and joy to children with critical illnesses across our 17-county territory in Northern California.
Thank you to the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center for hosting us on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Photos by Jodi Foucher and Laura Morales.
Sean (middle) and Danielle (right) Gallagher enjoy refreshments and connect with fellow members of our wish community at the Wish Insiders Summit: East Bay.
Left to right: Penny, Alejandro, and Richard Fung, and Mabel Abellera enjoy the refreshments at our Wish Insiders Summit: East Bay. A special thank you to Urban Organics, based in Lafayette, for catering the event!
Attendees at 2026 Wish Insiders Summit: East Bay.
All smiles at Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center for our Wish Insiders!
Inder and Rajin Atwal at 2026 Wish Insiders Summit: East Bay
CEO Betsy Biern welcomes attendees to our Wish Insiders Summit: East Bay and shares an inspiring “state of the wishes” address.
Wish mom Molly shares about her daughter Charlie’s wish to go to Disney World and meet her favorite princess, granted in 2025, and reflects on the joy their family experienced during the trip and the power of a wish come true.
Attendees enjoyed an evening of connection and inspiration as they heard heartfelt wish stories like Molly's, celebrated an extraordinary year of wish granting, and looked ahead to the year to come.
Recipients of our inaugural Shopping Spree Volunteer Wish Impact Pin, recognized for helping create fun and seamless shopping spree wishes for wish kids and families. Pictured from left to right: Brenda Yamashita, Sandi Luce, DeAnn Simpson-Sechser, Theresa Magabo, Ana-Elba Pavon, Jeannie Ingraffia-Delosreyes, Julie Giampaoli, and Joe Sanger.
Recipients of our inaugural Airport Volunteer Wish Impact Pin, recognized for helping wish families navigate travel with care. From left to right: Jeannie Ingraffia-Delosreyes, Mabel Abellera, Ana-Elba Pavon, and Rosie Issel.
Our Photographer, Videographer, Producer, and Editor Wish Impact Pin recipients donate their time and talents to help capture and share the life-changing impact of wishes. Pictured from left to right: Kirby Bobo, Ian Williamson, and Jodi Foucher.
Recipients of our inaugural Wish Ambassador Impact Pin, recognized for sharing their wish journeys and helping others understand the lasting impact of a wish. From left to right: Amy Hofmann, Bryan and Andrea Vaughn (accepting on behalf of their daughter, Amy Vaughn), Cooper Lee, Maika Ting, Viola Sutanto, Milan Alas, Lindsey Fontenot, and Andrea Alford.
FY26 Volunteer Award Winners: East Bay
Unlock Hope Innovation Award: Christine Eng and Victor Hsu for their creative wish enhancement for Charlie's wish to go to Disney World to meet her favorite princesses, including a princess party with the Peter Pan Foundation and a custom cake from a local bakery.
Wish It Forward Full Circle Award: Tascha Whetzel, a wish mom and wish-granting volunteer who, for the last 20 years, has helped grant almost every wish in Mendocino County.
Storyteller's Award: Wish alums Milan Alas and Matthew Ilg, who continue to bring our mission to life through sharing their stories—from speaking at events and media opportunities as Wish Ambassadors to their podcast The Wish Kids and so much more.
Youth Leadership Award: Sisters GG and Lauren Gallagher, whose creativity, leadership, and dedication on our chapter's Youth Board have helped raise nearly $30,000 for wishes through fundraisers including letter-writing campaigns and a community Bingo Night.
Medical Champion Award: Gina Mackintosh, whose commitment to supporting wish families through referrals, compassionate care, and meaningful partnership helps make more wishes possible for local children.
David L. Millstein Outstanding Volunteer Leadership Award: Deni McFarland, our longtime volunteer, for more than 26 years of wish granting, recruitment, fundraising, and wish assignments and inspiring our community with her leadership and dedication.
Pat Probert Outstanding Volunteer Service Award: Jeannie Ingraffia-Delosreyes, for nearly 40 years of outstanding dedication as a wish granter, board member, event volunteer, and so much more, helping make countless wishes come true for wish kids and families.
Our Volunteer Awards honored volunteers and partners who went above and beyond for wishes in fiscal year 2026.
Marketing Operations Manager Tracie Muñoz congratulates Storyteller’s Award recipient Milan Alas.
Milan Alas accepts the Storyteller’s Award on behalf of herself and fellow recipient Matthew Ilg, her co-host on The Wish Kids podcast.
Wish mom and wish-granting volunteer Tascha Whetzel accepts this year’s Wish It Forward Full Circle Award.
Events Development Manager Kendra Uffelman and Senior Events Manager Rachel Faught present sisters GG and Lauren Gallagher with the Youth Leadership Award.
Jeannie Ingraffia-Delosreyes, recipient of the Pat Probert Outstanding Volunteer Service Award.
Youth Leadership Award recipients sisters Lauren (left) and GG (right) Gallagher, whose creativity, leadership, and dedication on our chapter's Youth Board have helped raise nearly $30,000 for wishes.
Pictured from left to right: Leslie Noel Hansen of the Peter Pan Foundation, Unlock Hope Innovation Award recipient Christine Eng, and wish mom Molly.
Peter Pan Foundation's Leslie Noel Hansen (center) with guests.
Thank you to Corsair Gaming, Inc. for hosting us on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Photos by Arnold Suliguin and Tracy Devers.
Attendees enjoy an evening of connection, inspiration, and celebration at Corsair Gaming, Inc. in Milpitas. From left to right: Director of Alumni and Volunteer Services Daniel Marlay with volunteers Dan Karthas, Joy Shumeli, and Cayden Shmueli.
CEO Betsy Biern with Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area Advisory Director and Corsair Chief Human Resources Officer Peter Hilliard at Wish Insiders Summit: South Bay on September 22.
From left to right: David Carillo, milestone volunteer Monica Carillo, and Wish It Forward Full Circle Award winner Nick Duguid, alongside Director of Development Samantha Seals
From left to right: Guests Maria Rivera, Medical Champion Award winner Chelsea Tuomi, Young Kim-Parker, and Alejandro Maya at Wish Insiders Summit: South Bay
Wish kid Graysen with her mom Heather
CEO Betsy Biern welcomes volunteers, partners, supporters, and friends to our Wish Insiders Summit: South Bay at Corsair Gaming, Inc. on Tuesday, September 22.
Wish mom Heather takes the stage to share her family’s story
Heather reflects on her daughter Graysen’s 2024 wish to go to Disney World for a Star Wars adventure and the joy their family continues to carry from their wish experience.
Audience members at Wish Insiders Summit: South Bay
Airport Volunteer Wish Impact Pin recipients Helen Flynn and Lisa Fabiani Wyatt
Shopping Spree Volunteer Wish Impact Pin recipient Olga Borjon
Wish Ambassador Wish Impact Pin recipient Juliet Vadvilavich
FY26 Volunteer Award Winners: South Bay
Unlock Hope Innovation Award: Christa Steiner and Lisa Allie for their creative wish enhancement for Christian's wish to go to have a Yorkshire Terrier puppy, including a puppy party to help welcome their new furry member, Jerry, to the family.
Wish It Forward Full Circle Award: Nick Duguid, a wish alum who, for the last 13 years, has given back as a wish granter, event volunteer, Wish It Forward Council member, and trusted expert on gaming-related wishes.
Storyteller's Award: Arnold Suliguin, whose outstanding dedication to capturing wishes and events allows us to share fantastic photos that enhance our storytelling and inspire our community.
Youth Leadership Award: Dylan Lachance, whose leadership on our chapter’s Youth Board, fundraising efforts, and founding of a Make-A-Wish Club at Lick-Wilmerding High School have inspired fellow students to support our mission and help make wishes come true.
Medical Champion Award: Chelsea Tuomi, whose dedication to referring eligible children, supporting wish families, and partnering with our team helps make more wishes possible.
Emerging Philanthropist Award: Rishi Dixit, whose years of support, from helping build YPAC fundraising events to serving as a Wishmakers Guild member and Make-A-Wish Los Angeles board member, have helped make more wishes possible and inspired others through his example.
Champion of Hope Partnership Award: Corsair and Andy Paul, for more than a decade of partnership through wish support, fundraising, board leadership, and generosity, sharing their resources, expertise, and hearts to help grant more wishes for wish kids and families.
Our regional Volunteer Awards recognized outstanding volunteers and partners for their contributions to wish granting in fiscal year 2026.
Marketing Associate Akira Mariano (left) with photographer Arnold Suliguin (right), recipient of the Storyteller’s Award
Youth Leadership Award winner Dylan Lachance accepts his award.
Rishi Dixit was honored with the Emerging Philanthropist Award at this year’s Wish Insiders Summit: South Bay.
Corsair founder and former CEO Andy Paul accepts the Champion of Hope Award from CEO Betsy Biern on stage.
Unlock Hope Innovation Award winners Christa Steiner (right) and Lisa Allie (left)
Wish It Forward Full Circle Award winner Nick Duguid
Medical Champion Award winner Chelsea Tuomi (right) with Intake & Medical Engagement Manager Ashley Johanson (left)
Group photo of some of our incredible medical referral partners, including Medical Champion Award winner Chelsea Tuomi (center), with Intake & Medical Engagement Manager Ashley Johanson (right)
Youth Leadership Award winner Dylan Lachance (center) with Senior Events Manager Rachel Faught (left) and Events Development Manager Kendra Uffelman (right)
Senior Philanthropy Director Dennis Schrag (left) with Emerging Philanthropist Award winner Rishi Dixit (right)
Corporate Relations & Development Manager Amy Lynch (left) with Top Golf San Jose Lead Office Manager Bex Klatt (right)
Champion of Hope Award winner Andy Paul
Wish kid Christian and his puppy, Jerry, (center) with his family and Unlock Hope Innovation Award winners Lisa Allie (left) and Christa Steiner (right)