April 2025 | Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas | | Wish kid Oliana (center) and her family on wish day | |
HEALING WATERS OF HOPE
For 17-year-old Oliana, the soothing feeling of warm, moving water brings peace in the midst of constant pain. Living with a gastrointestinal disorder, Oliana is also legally blind and non-verbal, making it difficult for her to express herself.
Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas worked to make her wish for a “giant warm bathtub with a waterfall and jets” a reality and give her a source of daily comfort and joy.
See the joy on Oliana’s face as her wish comes true in this heartwarming video shared by her family
“Everyone should know how special this wish is,” shared her mom, Shannon. “It’s a difference maker for a kid who is, honestly, suffering most days and in constant pain. To see that smile on her face when she’s in the hot tub — it’s priceless.”
For Oliana, the magic of her wish isn’t just in the water or the jets. It’s in the moments of peace, joy, and relief that remind her and her family that even amidst the struggles, there is beauty, love, and hope. Help us grant more wishes like Oliana's.
| | APRIL IS WORLD WISH MONTH | |
One Wish Inspired a Movement
On April 29, 1980, a 7-year-old boy named Chris Greicius, facing leukemia, wished to be a police officer. His community rallied to make it happen and sparked a global movement that continues today. That first wish led to the founding of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and has since transformed millions of lives.
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This World Wish Month, Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas proudly celebrates 40 years of wish granting in our central and south Texas community. Thanks to the incredible support of donors, volunteers, partners, and friends like you, we’ve granted more than 6,500 wishes across 40 counties — each a powerful reminder of the joy and hope a single wish can bring.
Right now, more than 400 local children are waiting for their wishes — wish kids like Violet, Logan, Jamari, and Natalie. Their wishes have the power to uplift, to heal, and to inspire, but we need your help to grant more wishes!
| | Become a WishMaker during World Wish Month! Here are some great ways to get involved and bring hope and joy to children with critical illnesses across central and south Texas. | | Create a personal or team Wish Your Way fundraising page to support life-changing wishes in your community. | | Become a wish-granting volunteer and bring strength, hope, and joy to children facing critical illnesses. | | Make a direct contribution to Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas and help grant a life-changing wish for a child in your community. | | Rally your team or community and go blue for wishes on April 29, World Wish Day. Or, light up your office building in blue to make a bold statement of support. | |
Plan a happy hour, pickleball tournament,
or social event in your community to raise funds and grant more wishes.
| | Shop, dine, and round up while supporting local businesses giving back to Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas during World Wish Month. Every dollar helps grant life-changing wishes for children in our community. | | Whether you can offer a memorable experience like a limo ride, bakery treats for a wish reveal, or supplies that enhance a wish experience, your generosity helps create extra special moments for wish kids and their families. | | Many companies match employee donations, which can double your impact and grant even more wishes! Check with your company to see if they offer a giving match. | |
We are busy creating life-changing wishes for children across central and south Texas! We’ve already granted more than 100 wishes since September 1 and are on track to reach 200 by August 31.
From wishes to go to fun destinations to wishes to have a “furever” best friend, we’re working hard to create unforgettable experiences and lasting memories for wish kids and their families.
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101
Wishes Granted from Sep 1-Feb 28
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413
Children Across Central and South Texas Waiting for Their Wishes
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$12,986
Average Value of a Wish
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CALLING ALL WISH ALUMNI
It is our pleasure to invite those who have experienced their wish to the next stage of the wish journey! We encourage you to stay connected and build relationships with other wish families, participate in exclusive alumni events, and express gratitude by making sure the next child receives their wish.
Share Your Story
Your story is powerful, inspiring, and needed.
Connect Your Community
Involve your school, workplace, and neighbors.
Exclusive Events
Gather, meet, and raise funds needed to grant more wishes.
Volunteer Opportunities
Help make sure every eligible child experiences the power of a wish.
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Partner Spotlight: Chi Omega
Since 2002, Chi Omega has been a proud national partner of Make-A-Wish, dedicating their time, energy, and fundraising efforts to granting life-changing wishes for children facing critical illnesses. Chi Omega encourages both collegiate and alumnae chapters to actively volunteer, raise funds, and connect with local Make-A-Wish chapters to make an impact in their communities, including right here in central and south Texas.
At The University of Texas at Austin (UT), the Chi Omega sisters are passionate about supporting Make-A-Wish, knowing their efforts help give wish kids moments of happiness and hope. “We love supporting Make-A-Wish because it gives kids and their families a chance to escape from their difficult circumstances and focus on the excitement of their wish,” shared the UT chapter. One recent unforgettable moment was celebrating with wish kid Anna before her dream trip to Hawaii — an experience that meant the world to Anna and her family!
| | UT Chi O sisters with wish kid Anna | | Texas State Chi O sisters at The Color Run | | Chi O San Antonio chapter alumnae gathering | |
At Texas State University, Chi Omega's commitment shines through during annual events like The Color Run, where sisters and wish families come together for a magical day of fun and impact. “Being able to work with Make-A-Wish is SO special, and we are so lucky to be able to work with such an amazing organization,” shared the Texas State University chapter after a colorful day celebrating wish kid Gabriel and his family.
Beyond their collegiate years, Chi Omega sisters remain dedicated to supporting Make-A-Wish. In San Antonio, the Chi Omega alumnae chapter continues to make a meaningful impact by fundraising and advocating for Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas. Through events like their annual luncheon and by attending and supporting our signature events, they help bring hope and joy to children facing critical illnesses.
Thank you, Chi Omega, for all you do to make wishes come true!
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Volunteer Spotlight: Anne Meiteen
For Anne Meiteen, the mission of Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas is personal. In 2004, her daughter Elyssa was granted a wish to go to Walt Disney World Resort, creating lasting memories of happiness and relief for their family. Anne recalls, “Going on a wish trip was the first time we weren’t saddled with sadness, but instead had zero worries or concerns. Make-A-Wish CSTX took care of it all and we were truly full of joy.”
Shortly after Elyssa’s wish experience, Anne was invited to join the Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas regional council. She accepted the opportunity and jumped in full force — becoming a dedicated volunteer, donor, and advocate for our mission. She has played a crucial role in fulfilling life-changing wishes, especially through Builders of Hope, a coalition of volunteer experts and professionals who provide industry knowledge and resources to help fulfill construction-related wishes.
| | Anne at Wishes Under the Stars Gala | | Eloisa’s wish to have a room redo | | Noah's wish to have a tree for birdwatching | | Chloe's wish to have a dance studio | |
Some of Anne’s favorite moments include Eloisa’s wish for a room redo, Noah’s wish to have a special tree for birdwatching, and Chloe’s wish to have a dance studio. Through these wishes and more, Anne has been hands-on in creating meaningful experiences for wish kids and has provided invaluable in-kind support for home and backyard renovation wishes, ensuring that every child’s wish is met with care and compassion.
Volunteers like Anne embody the heart of Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas — bringing hope, joy, and renewed strength to children facing critical illnesses. We are incredibly grateful for Anne’s unwavering support and the magic she helps create, one wish at a time.
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As our wish-granting efforts grow, so does our need for volunteers — especially Spanish-speaking volunteers in Bexar County. If you’re looking to make a difference in your community, click below to learn more about our volunteer opportunities and join us in granting wishes! | |
Best Wishes
From Andrea and Petri
As the season of renewal and hope blossoms, we are filled with gratitude for your unwavering support. Together, we continue to bring life-changing wishes to children facing critical illnesses, giving them strength, joy, and renewed hope for the future.
This April, we are celebrating World Wish Month, a time to reflect on the incredible impact of a single wish granted that ignited a global movement. For 40 years, Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas has been part of this mission, bringing hope and joy to children and families when they need it most.
| | Andrea Taurins, Chief Executive Officer | | |
We invite you to join us in celebrating the power of a wish as we share inspiring wish stories, highlight the dedication of our volunteers, and offer opportunities to get involved. Take a moment to explore the ways you can become a WishMaker, whether through giving, volunteering, or simply spreading awareness.
This spring, we are ramping up the pace to grant more wishes this summer — our busiest wish-granting time of the year! From dream vacations to meeting heroes, and even receiving the perfect puppy, every wish we grant is made possible because of you — our dedicated supporters, donors, and volunteers.
Your generosity fuels our mission, and together, we are changing lives one wish at a time. Because of you, hope is alive and wishes come true! Thank you for being part of our community.
| | Get to Know Our Board Chair | | Petri Darby, Make-A-Wish CSTX Board Chair, with his wife, Shannon at Wish Ball | | What inspired you to get involved with MAWCSTX? | | |
My history with Make-A-Wish spans almost
30 years. I’ve worked for Make-A-Wish America (twice), worked with the national office as a client, and served as a wish-granting and PR volunteer. I met my wife Shannon through Make-A-Wish — we were married by a wish mom and had a wish kid as our flower girl. My son played hockey with a wish kid whose dad served on the Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas board and recruited me to join the board.
| | What fuels your passion for our mission? | | | I have seen firsthand how the power of a wish transforms lives and how wishes are good medicine. I have seen wish kids find hope again, get stronger, and reclaim joy as their wishes unfold. I have seen how wishes help families temporarily shed the burdens of a critical illness and feel like a normal family again. I have seen communities come together and make magic for kids who need it most. And some wish kids have told me their wishes saved their lives. | | If you had a wish, what would it be? | | | I wish to visit and tour former Finnish Karelia, the homeland of my grandfather and great-grandmother. They evacuated in 1939 during the Winter War, and no one in my family has ever visited Karelia since. | |
Jennifer Wilks Foundation
Annual Charity Golf Tournament
FRIDAY, APRIL 25
Star Ranch Golf Club, Hutto, Texas
Benefiting Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas
Join the Jennifer Wilks Foundation on Friday, April 25, for the 20th Annual Charity Golf Tournament. This milestone event supports the foundation’s mission to assist children and families facing childhood cancer. Play or volunteer and help put smiles on children’s faces!
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Ways to Give
Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses across central and south Texas. Whether you are an individual donor, corporate sponsor, or fundraising advocate, your generous support transforms lives, one wish at a time.
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DONATE ONLINE
Donate to our mission and join us in creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses across central and south Texas.
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WHEELS FOR WISHES
Avoid the hassle of selling or trading and donate your unwanted vehicle through Wheels For Wishes. Each donated vehicle makes a big impact and helps create wishes!
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MATCHING GIFTS
Does your company match philanthropic giving? Double your impact with a corporate match. Check with your company to find out if they offer a giving match.
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LEGACY OF WISHES
Including a gift to Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas from a will, trust, life insurance, charitable gift annuity, or IRA can ensure a legacy of wishes and transform lives for generations to come.
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OUR WISH LIST
Our vision is to grant every eligible child's wish. Help us make wishes extra special with celebratory items for wish days and send-offs!
Gift Cards
(H-E-B, Party City, local restaurants)
Wrapping & Tissue Paper
Gift Bags
Greeting Cards
Confetti Poppers
Balloon Sticks
Check out our Amazon Wish List and purchase items that bring smiles and joy to our wish kids!
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Petri Darby, Chair
Charles Butt Foundation
Brian Schwartz, Vice Chair
SIZE
Andi Ruda, Treasurer
Rainbow CFO
Lorena Kieser, Secretary
Cadaver Lab SA

Dr. Chatchawin Assanasen Chapter Medical Advisor UT Health San Antonio
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Jeremy Blackman
Luther King Capital Management (LKCM)/Hester Capital Management
Mike Finke
Amy King
Bazaarvoice
Monroe May
Merit Medical Systems Inc
Ryan Meyer
Frost Bank
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Mike Miller
Capital Creek Partners
Bill Paul
Quantum Metric
Albert Swantner
SaveDay
Amy Villarreal
Sinclair Broadcasting Group
| | Join us and help grant wishes today! | | | | |