Wish Night 2026: A World of Pure Imagination

Wish Night 2026 was a powerful evening of generosity, creativity, and hope. Make‑A‑Wish South Carolina’s signature fundraising gala brought together community leaders, supporters, and wish families for a night dedicated to changing lives.

Held at Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms, this year’s event embraced the theme “A World of Pure Imagination,” celebrating the courage and creativity of wish kids across South Carolina.

Presented by The Cox Group, Wish Night 2026 raised more than $1.2 million, funding 165 life‑changing wishes for children facing critical illnesses.

About the Wish Night Gala

Wish Night is more than a South Carolina fundraising gala. It is a shared experience of hope.

Hosted at the Sweetgrass Inn, the evening combined immersive storytelling, meaningful wish moments, and community celebration, allowing guests to see firsthand the lasting impact of a wish.

A Record‑Breaking Night of Impact

Wish Night 2026 took place during a time of urgent need, with more than 300 South Carolina children currently waiting for a wish. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, donors, and guests, 165 children will now experience the hope and joy of a wish.

From creative in‑home wishes to surprise mentorships and unforgettable adventures, the night showed how deeply life‑affirming a wish can be.

Leadership and Community Support

This year marked the launch of the Wish Night Leadership Committee, chaired by Kat Wawner, Founder and CEO of Wawner Strategies. The committee played a key role in expanding the event’s reach and impact.

The program was led by emcees Brooke Ryan and wish alum Elaina, with live auction moments guided by Erin Kienzle and wish alum Steven.

Blue Carpet Livestream

For the first time, Wish Night extended beyond the ballroom with a live Blue Carpet Livestream. Hosted by wish alum PJ and presented by Gallagher, the broadcast featured sponsor interviews, wish kid highlights, and behind‑the‑scenes moments, opening up Wish Night to supporters across the state.

Wish Night 2026 Blue Carpet Livestream Highlights:

• Misty Farmer - Make-A-Wish South Carolina President & CEO: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲?
• Caitlyn Townsend - Gallagher - Live Stream Sponsor: 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺
• Drew Gray - The Cox Group - Presenting Sponsor: 𝗔 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲.
• Dr. Bob Ryan - Paradigm Therapeutics - Cocktail Reception Sponsor - 𝗔 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲.
• Chad Dial - Dial, Grimm, & Rupert - Photo Booth Sponsor: 𝗔 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗱𝗮𝗱’𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆. 𝗔 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀.
• Brian Peters - Veroogle - Welcome Reception Sponsor: 𝗔 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗔 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝘂𝗽.
• Michelle Ryan - Wrapstar Vehicle Wraps & Signs - Wish Kid Ambassador Sponsor: 𝗔 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿, 𝗮 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻.
• Kat Wawner - Wawner Strategies - Leadership Committee Sponsor: 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
• Lane Lewis - Make-A-Wish South Carolina Board Chair: 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁.
• Erin Kienzle - Wish Night Auctioneer: 𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀.
• Wish Kid Alums PJ & Dalton: 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀
• Brooke Ryan & Wish Kid Alum Elaina: 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗲𝗺𝗰𝗲𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺
• Wish Kid Ambassador Tyler: 𝗔 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗳 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴.
• Wish Kid Ambassador Rutlee: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲.

...or watch the full livestream recording below!

Thank You for Making Wishes Possible

Wish Night is proof of what happens when a community comes together with purpose. Every sponsor, donor, volunteer, and advocate helped turn imagination into action and bring hope to families across South Carolina.