Wishes by Design sets the trend
Generosity was in style at our record-breaking Evening of Wishes
On Thursday, March 9, Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area held their signature gala event, Evening of Wishes, at the Fairmont San Francisco. The fashion-forward event featured wish kid and designer Vivek and six wish alums who modeled Vivek’s capsule collection on an illuminated runway. Thanks to the support of generous sponsors, donors, and guests, the event raised over $1 million in support of wish granting—a new Evening of Wishes record!
To learn more about Vivek and his wish to be a fashion designer, read his wish story (coming soon!) and watch his wish video. To view all photos from the main event, visit the online gallery provided by Drew Altizer Photography. To see the 360 degree photos from the Tonga Room Afterparty sponsored by Marti Pozzi and Jim Congdon, visit the Napa Valley Photo Booths gallery on SmugMug (password: makeawish).
Guests of Wishes by Design were greeted by paparazzi as they walked the red carpet into the reception. Thank you to our Red Carpet Welcome Sponsor, the Jonathan and Rae Corr Family Foundation. Paparazzi provided by Vintage Paparazzi.
Guests place their bids at the silent auction. Thanks to the host committee, generous auction donors, and bidders, our silent auction raised more than $50,000 for wishes.
Mindy Elayda enjoys a glass of wine from Baldacci Family Vineyards. Thank you to the wineries who poured at our reception, including Abbot’s Passage/Gundlach Bundschu, Baldacci, Hard Six Cellars, Okapi Wines, and Theopolis Vineyards.
From left to right: Ken and Joni Avery, Allie Phelps, Board Chair Kate Shrout, Travis Shrout, and CEO Betsy Biern enjoy the reception at 2023 Evening of Wishes: Wishes by Design.
Board member George Sammut with Sandra Sammut
Board member Marti Pozzi and Jim Congdon, who generously sponsored our Tonga Room Afterparty
Harrison Wong and Nick Centis at one of the raffle tables. Our raffles raised more than $30,000 in support of wish kids and their families.
Board member Tiffany Rowe and Betina Baumgarten
Jonathan and Rae Corr, Red Carpet Welcome Sponsors
Donyale and Steven Bradley
David and Akama Carlson and Board member Shannon O’Shea
Blake Barrios and Maya Eng show off their fashion sketch! Fashion Sketch Artists courtesy of Entire Productions.
Scott Grainger and Haute Couture Sponsors Jeff and Jonna Mazet
^ Scroll right for more photos from our 2023 Evening of Wishes reception
Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area CEO Betsy Biern gives a welcome address to more than 450 guests at 2023 Evening of Wishes: Wishes by Design on Thursday, March 9.
Our fabulous emcee and auctioneer, Ellen Toscano, led a record-smashing live auction and Adopt-A-Wish paddle raise!
Senior Volunteer Manager Daniel Marlay honors volunteer Jean Ingraffia-Delosreyes for 35 years of wish granting with our chapter!
Avant Garde Sponsors Lucia and Scott Gilbertson with guests at dinner, 2023 Evening of Wishes.
Board member Gene Wade and guests enjoy dinner and a fashion-filled program at 2023 Evening of Wishes: Wishes by Design.
Marti Pozzi, past board chair, and Jim Congdon with guests at 2023 Evening of Wishes
Haute Couture Sponsor CORSAIR and guests at 2023 Evening of Wishes.
Haute Couture Sponsor BHM Construction and guests at 2023 Evening of Wishes.
Haute Couture Sponsor PlayStation and guests at 2023 Evening of Wishes.
CEO Betsy Biern with guests at 2023 Evening of Wishes.
Wish kid and designer Vivek with guests including members of his care team.
Guests bid generously during our 2023 Evening of Wishes live auction.
Guests put in a bid at 2023 Evening of Wishes.
^ Scroll right for more photos from our 2023 Evening of Wishes dinner
More than 450 guests enjoy dinner and a fashion show at 2023 Evening of Wishes: Wishes by Design on March 9, 2023, at the Fairmont San Francisco.
Wish kid Vivek receives a standing ovation after debuting his capsule collection from Macy’s Sun + Stone collection.
Wish alum and model Cooper walks the runway during 2023 Evening of Wishes. Cooper wished to meet Justin Bieber in 2011.
Wish alum and model Eva models a hoodie designed by wish kid Vivek. Eva ‘s wish to go to Disneyland was granted in 2018.
Wish alums Dylan and Ashley walk the runway at 2023 Evening of Wishes: Wishes by Design. Dylan wished to go to Disneyland for an Imagineering experience in 2019 and Ashley wished to go to New York to meet the cast of The Lion King in 2015.
Wish alum Ella shows off Vivek’s Sun + Stone jersey on the runway at 2023 Evening of Wishes. Ella wished to meet then President Barack Obama in 2014.
Wish alum Amy leads the models in a finale walk down the runway. Amy wished to go to Paris in 2017.
Designer Vivek (back row, second from right) with wish alum models on the runway at 2023 Evening of Wishes: Wishes by Design
^ Scroll right for more photos from our 2023 Evening of Wishes fashion show
Thanks to our generous guests, our Adopt-A-Wish paddle raise brought in over $362,000 for wishes!
Guests celebrate in the Tonga Room after a successful 2023 Evening of Wishes on Thursday, March 9. Thanks to all who supported, attended, and elevated this event into something special!