Make-A-Wish^® Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana

VALERO ST. CHARLES AND MAKE-A-WISH KICK OFF SUMMER OF WISHES WITH WELCOME HOME CELEBRATION FOR LOCAL WISH KIDS  

WHAT:  Make-A-Wish ® Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana, in partnership with Valero St. Charles, will host a heartwarming Welcome Home Celebration for two local wish kids, Caleb and Brayden, following their unforgettable Disney adventures this spring. The event will honor their strength, celebrate their magical experiences, and thank the community that helped make their wishes come true. 

For Caleb, age 5, the trip marked a powerful milestone of his journey of healing after a stem-cell transplant. From dazzling shows to thrilling rides and sweet Disney treats, every moment was a celebration of resilience for this sweet little boy. 

His Make-A-Wish trip was EVERYTHING to him and our family!” shared his mom, Jamie. 
Brayden, age 4, wished to see Disney World with his own eyes and that came true in spectacular fashion. Meeting beloved characters like Pluto, Donald, Mickey and especially his favorite, Goofy, filled his heart with joy and wonder.  

Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana since 2021 and has generously contributed over $1.1 million to help make life-changing wishes come true – granting more than 74 wishes across their local refinery communities, including over 23 in Houston, 20 in Corpus Christi, 13 in St. Charles Parish, 12 in Port Arthur, and 6 in Texas City.  

Caleb and Brayden’s Welcome Home Celebration will be the first celebration hosted by the Valero St. Charles Refinery. 

WHY: To celebrate the courage and joy of two remarkable young warriors and share in the magic of their wish experiences. This event is a testament to the power of community, hope, and the life-changing impact of a wish granted. 
Caleb and Brayden’s wish adventure are part of Make-A-Wish’s Summer of Wishes campaign – a three-month long campaign focused on summer-related wishes. Summer should be a time of joy for children – full of rest, relaxation, play and fun in the sun. But kids with critical illnesses are often missing out on the excitement of summer – forced to stay indoors, isolated from their siblings and friends who are playing outside. Many are even enduring painful treatments that are exhausting and can create a very dark chapter during a time that should be filled with sunshine and warm memories. A wish can change everything for these children – giving them the strength and hope they need to persevere in their fight against their illness. This summer more than, 1,100 children are waiting for their wishes to come true – more than any other time of the year. 272 of those children are based in Louisiana.