Wishes Come True for 2024 Make-A- Wish Gala
HOUSTON—A new event for Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana, The Wish Ball was held at The Post Oak Hotel Friday May 3 for more than 750 guests. The gala celebrated 40 years of granting wishes to children across southeast Texas and Louisiana, as well as honored Montgomery County residents Kay and Tommy Austin. The black-tie attire of the attendees added to the elegance of the evening. Honorary Chairs of this successful event were Claudia and Brad Freels and Carly and John Whitehurst who were thrilled to raise just over $1.7 million for the amazing organization that creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The evening held very special meaning for Carly Whitehurst, the daughter of Claudia and Brad, an elementary school teacher in Houston, since 2024 marks the 10-year anniversary of her wish to attend the Country Music Awards.
Blue and gold were the colors of the ballroom with white florals on each table. Guests socialized, enjoyed bidding on multiple silent auction packages, taking a chance on the raffle of 18 carat white gold sapphire ring generously provided by Kim Chau & Company Fine Jewelers and sipping on champagne from the champagne wall. Support from the Houston Texans, Houston Astros, Houston Dynamos, Houston Dash and Houston Rockets provided a foundation for the success of the evening.
The evening was led by emcee Deborah Duncan. Generous Make-A-Wish donors, Holly and Ryan Lambert, kicked off the evening with a surprise $350,000 gift to inspire giving in the room. Surprise videos from JJ Watt and Charles Barkley to grant wishes for 2 special young people drew loud applause. The appeal had the room filled with paddles raised to increase the proceeds of the night. Unique live auction packages had paddles flying as supporters tried to outbid each other. The CMA Package in the live auction generated a whopping $30,000. Performances by former wish children Franklin Ingalls who played an extraordinary piece on the grand piano and Andrew Marshall, a finalist from The Voice who sang several songs for the crowd. DJ Corey Greene closed out the night with tunes that kept the dance floor packed.
Shelly Millwee, President and CEO said, “What an extraordinary and magical night for Make-A-Wish. The generous funds raised from our inaugural event will help grant many wishes and bring joy and hope to more local children facing unimaginable illnesses. We are incredibly humbled by the big hearts of so many who helped make this evening a tremendous success.”
Seen in the crowd: Ashley and Jonathan Sloan, Brenda and Joe Trial, Heather and Don Hrap, Christy and Ron Phillips, Lyndsay and Matt Pennebaker, Neil Bush, Jennifer and Alan Rosen, Michael Vanderhider, Frances and Tony Buzbee, Mandy S. Williams, Greg Miller, Melanie Gray and Mark Wawro, Bethany and Ben Buchanan, and Lindsey Yates and Brian Ching. Patricia and Sig Cornelius, Thomas and Stephanie Hatfield, Kristen and Barry Palmer.