Happy February from Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic!

There’s so much to look forward to in the weeks ahead! We have an exciting lineup of events that will bring our community together in fun and inspiring ways. We’re also growing our alumni network—welcoming new faces, reconnecting with familiar ones, and creating more opportunities to stay engaged.

Haley Sticks the Landing- A Wish Come True

11-year-old Haley from Frederick, Maryland, is upbeat and friendly, the kind of person who makes friends everywhere she goes. But behind her cheerful personality, Haley has faced challenges that most kids her age can’t imagine.

She was born with a respiratory disorder, which means doctor visits every three months, daily medication, and routines that sometimes feel overwhelming. Life hasn’t been easy, but Haley has never let her condition stop her. Instead, she uses it as motivation to push herself harder, whether in school, at home, or in the gym where she practices gymnastics.

When Haley found out that she was going to have her wish to meet Simone Biles granted, it gave her something incredible to look forward to. That hope helped carry her through the tougher days. And when the time finally came, her dream came true in the most unforgettable way.

For Haley, gymnastics isn’t just a sport—it’s a passion. And Simone isn’t just an athlete—she’s a role model, someone who has inspired Haley for as long as she can remember. Meeting her idol, an 11-time Olympic medalist, felt like magic.

“Getting to meet the person that I’ve always watched and loved is just a very special moment,” Haley said. Simone answered all of her questions with kindness and patience, making Haley feel like the most important person in the room.

Purchase a Golden Ticket Today

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Each of the seven certificates is redeemable for one standard room stay, excluding New Year's Eve. The certificates can be used all together or separately. Expires March 2027. Suggested donation of $100. For more information and how to enter, please click here.

Alumni Corner

Be a part of the Alumni Community!

Once a Wish Kid, always part of the Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic family. We love staying connected with our alumni community and sharing ways to get involved.

If you’re not currently receiving alumni communications and would like to be added to our contact list, we’d be happy to connect you. Alumni can also make an impact by starting a Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic club at their school or hosting a fundraiser to help grant more wishes.

To get involved or update your contact information, please reach out to Kaylan King at kking@midatlantic.wish.org.

Bid Now on the Wish Ball Silent & Live Auction

Raise Your Paddle Electronically!

Get ready to raise your paddle (or your phone!) The silent and live auctions for Wish Ball are officially open—and you don’t have to be in the room to join the fun.

For the live auction, simply submit a proxy bid by filling out an absentee bid form and we’ll bid on your behalf!

This year’s lineup is incredible. Imagine stepping behind the scenes with an exclusive tour of the set of Fallout in Los Angeles, rocking out with Train live in concert, or hitting the slopes alongside U.S. Ski Team Olympian Troy Podmilsak for an unforgettable day on the mountain.

Don’t miss your chance to bid big, win big, and most importantly—make a big impact. Start browsing, start bidding, and help us make wishes come true!

Join Us at WISH Luncheon with

Featured Speaker Sheila Johnson

An Unforgettable Experience

Join us for an inspiring afternoon of community and impact at our annual WISH Luncheon—Women Inspiring Strength and Hope— hosted at the stunning Salamander Washington DC.

This meaningful event brings together more than 350 women leaders, changemakers, and philanthropists to celebrate the power of a wish and the hope it creates for children facing critical illnesses.

Tickets are on sale now, and space is limited. Your participation helps make more life-changing wishes possible across our community.

For tickets and more information, visit: womenforwishesdc.org.

SECU Leadership Spreads Kindness and Joy

to Local Wish Kids

This season, SECU once again showed what it means to lead with kindness. Through their ongoing partnership with Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, SECU’s leadership team came together to support local children facing critical illnesses—bringing hope, joy, and meaningful connection to families across the region.

In January, SECU leaders helped celebrate Janae, a courageous wish kid whose dream is to go to Disney World. Janae shared beautifully with the SECU team why this wish means so much: it’s something she can experience with her whole family. Her sister was her bone marrow donor, her brother also lives with a blood disorder, and Janae expressed heartfelt gratitude for her parents’ strength throughout their journey.

The celebration itself was pure magic—complete with delicious cupcakes, lively K‑pop music, and what may have been the most competitive (and joyful) game of Jenga anyone has ever witnessed.

SECU’s commitment to kindness continues to make a real difference for local wish kids. Their generosity and genuine care help ensure that children like Janae can experience the hope and healing that a wish brings.

Thank you, SECU, for keeping kindness at the heart of your work and for supporting the magic of wishes in our community.