Wish It Forward Reunion brings families together
On Saturday, April 27, we welcomed 200 wish alumni and family members for our inaugural Wish It Forward Reunion. The event, hosted at Topgolf San Jose, gave our wish families an opportunity to reconnect, form new friendships, and celebrate our chapter’s 40th Birthday!
The day was filled with engaging activities, fun games, and interviews of our wish alums and family members by KRON4 news anchor Noelle Bellow and photojournalist Rudy Garcia, featured on KRON4.
Photography by Jeff Cable and videography by Fabian Films
Thank you to the Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area staff members, volunteers, and Wish It Forward council members who made our reunion a memorable one!
CEO Betsy Biern welcomes wish alumni and family members to our Wish It Forward Reunion.
Wish alum Justin led the make-and-trade friendship bracelet station.
Wish kid Quinn adds a personal touch to her handmade bracelet.
Wish alum Bryan and mom and wish ambassador Juliet
Wish It Forward council member and wish alum Lena, who wished to swim with dolphins in 2008
Wish alum Imani, who wished to meet Sarah McLachlan in 2001
Wish kid Patrick with his mom, Jimena, and dad, Jorge
Wish alum Grady, who wished to go to Disney World in 2014, with his mom, Amy
Wish kid Deanna with her dad, Michael; brother, AJ; and mom, Kaitlyn
Wish It Forward council members and wish alumni Grady and Jack. Grady's wish to go to Disney World came true in 2014 and Jack's wish to create a PSA for bone marrow donations came true in 2018.
KRON4 news anchor Noelle Bellow with wish kid Quinn (right) and her sister Camryn. Noelle interviewed the girls about Quinn's wish to go to Hawaii to swim with dolphins, which came true in 2022.
Noelle Bellow talks to wish alum Nick, who wished for a computer in 1992. Nick is now a volunteer wish granter with our chapter.
Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area CEO Betsy Biern (left) and wish mom and volunteer Lia Hanson
Wish kid Aleks, who wished to meet their favorite band in 2011, with their mom, Mickie
Left to right: CEO Betsy Biern, wish mom Yang, and Chief Development Officer Kathleen Backus
Left to right: Wish dad Alan, wish mom and Wish It Forward Council Chair Deborah, and wish mom and Wish It Forward Council Member Yang
In addition to golf, there were many yard games for families to play at Topgolf.
Wish kid Patrick tries out his swing.
Wish kid Renee and her mom, Theresa