Celina’s Wish to Be a Zookeeper Comes True with Help from Make-A-Wish OCIE and San Manuel’s Generous Grant

After a TV timeout with seven minutes left in the first half of the BYU-West Virginia basketball game at the Marriott Center on Saturday night, the 26-time national dance champion Cougarettes took the court for their performance, which they do at every game.

During the BYU men's basketball game Saturday night against the West Virginia, the crowd was surprised with an extra special timeout performance.

A 19-year-old passionate football fan from Seal Beach who recently beat cancer will get to experience a dream come true at this year's Super Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 9. Make-A-Wish Orange County is taking Seal Beach resident Carson Fox, a member of the University of Alabama's Para Track and Field Team, and 18 other families to the big game this year.

Get ready for an elegant evening of glamour and intrigue as Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire hosts its 2024 Gala, “A Parisian Masquerade,” at the Balboa Bay Resort on October 19, 2024.

It’s Make-A-Wish Wednesday! Anne Grey, the new President and CEO for Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire, joined us live with board member Carie Jernquist-Ferry to share details on the annual fundraising gala event. The Make-A-Wish Gala: A Parisian Masquerade will take place on October 19th at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach with our very own Glen Walker as emcee.
For more information, tickets, or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.wishgala.org.

On National Waffle Day (Saturday, Aug. 24), Cappy’s Café and Make-A-Wish® Orange County and the Inland Empire (OCIE) hosted an exciting waffle eating contest that brought the community together in support of a great cause.
The event, held at Cappy’s Café, kicked off with a heartfelt message from wish alum Jacob Grimstead, who shared how his life was turned upside down by a cancer diagnosis, and how Make-A-Wish® brought hope for his future and much-needed break during his treatment.

Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire President and chief executive Anne Grey, Wish alumnus Jacob Grimstead, Newport Beach Assistant Fire Chief Justin Carr, Fire Chief Jeff Boyles, Police Chief Joe Cartwright and Deputy Police Chief Javier Aguilar at Saturday’s fundraiser. (Courtesy of Make-A-Wish)

First, get ready for a showdown with National Waffle Day! Cappy’s Café and Make-A-Wish Orange County/Inland Empire are partnering tomorrow (Saturday, Aug. 24) for a waffle eating contest where the Newport Beach Police Department squares off against the Newport Beach Fire Department in a fierce three-minute battle to see who can devour the most waffles…butter, syrup and all. Now, we know police love their donuts…but, you have to ask yourself, what about waffles? We’ll see. Police Chief Joe Cartwright and Fire Chief Jeff Boyles will be leading their respective teams. And to make things even sweeter, so to speak, Cappy’s will donate $50 to Make-A-Wish OCIE for every waffle consumed during the contest, adding a little extra bite to the competition.