The 2013 Make-A-Wish Gala

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It was an evening full of inspiration as Make-A-Wish^® Massachusetts and Rhode Island supporters gathered for The 2013 Make-A-Wish Gala on May 4 at the InterContinental in downtown Boston. The event, emceed by Liz Brunner of WCVB-TV Channel 5, celebrated “Where Hope and Heroes Unite” by showcasing wish children and their stories along with Make-A-Wish community members who help make our work possible. Through speeches and videos, guests were introduced to young Joe and his request to include his Little League team in his wish to meet Dustin Pedroia; 12-year-old Tyler, whose wish for a backyard ice rink motivated a team of local supporters to pitch in to help bring it to fruition; and Morgan, 18, who wished to write and record her own song, and whose beautiful performance was among the event’s highlights.

The evening’s honoree, Steve Barnes of Bain Capital, was presented with the 2013 Wish Hero Award for his extraordinary leadership and his dedication as a visionary donor and steadfast fundraiser. During his tenure as Chairman of our Board of Directors, Steve served as a true champion in strategically advancing our reach while laying groundwork for a sustainable future for our organization. A passionate Make-A-Wish ambassador, Steve’s personal generosity has changed the lives of hundreds of children through their wishes.

Through sponsorships, ticket sales, a variety of auctions, and a diamond raffle, the Gala raised $1.3 million to set children on the path to wishes come true in the year ahead!

Top: Wish child Makhi welcomed guests to the Gala with Liz Brunner. Photo courtesy of Cheryl Keane. Bottom: 2013 Wish Hero Award recipient Steve Barnes, second from right, with (counterclockwise from Steve) Greg Gailius, Make-A-Wish Board of Directors Chair; Charlotte Beattie, Make-A-Wish CEO; and wish children and twin sisters Athena and Alexa. View more photos from the event

Left to right: Make-A-Wish CEO Charlotte Beattie; wish recipient Tyler; and Deborah Barnes, wife of the evening's honoree, Steve Barnes. 

Right to left: Greg Gailius, Chair, Make-A-Wish Board of Directors; Liz Brunner, Master of Ceremonies from WCVB-TV Channel 5; Craig Stockmal, Liz's husband; and Loretta Gailius, Greg's wife.

Left to right: Lori Nelson, Board member and 2013 Gala Committee Chair; Cheryl Wilkinson, Board member; and Steve Stelljes, Cheryl's husband. Photo courtesy of Erica Ferrone.

Left to right: Andy Fligor; Marsha and Patrick Ahearn; Leslye Fligor. 

Make-A-Wish volunteer Tracey Dickey and her husband, Bob Dickey. 

Unless otherwise noted, photos by Ryan Stranz, Michael Blanchard Photography, 2013.