The Make-A-Wish Gala | Orange County and Inland Empire | October 18, 2025

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OCTOBER 18, 2025

THE BALBOA BAY RESORT

NEWPORT BEACH, CA

COCKTAIL RECEPTION

5:30 IN THE EVENING

COCKTAIL RECEPTION | DINNER & DANCING | LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation - Honoree - Vertical.png

Make-A-Wish® Orange County and the Inland Empire (OCIE) is honored to recognize Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation (San Manuel) for their extraordinary dedication to making wishes come true for children facing critical illnesses at the 2025 Wish Gala. Their long-standing partnership and unwavering support have helped bring moments of joy, strength, and hope to families when they’ve needed it most.

One of those children is five-year-old Celina from Rialto, who lives with a respiratory disorder. Celina had a heartfelt wish to experience life as a real zookeeper. With the support of Make-A-Wish OCIE and an extraordinary gift from San Manuel, Celina’s dream became a reality. She spent an unforgettable day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, feeding animals, shadowing zookeepers, and exploring behind-the-scenes areas few get to see. For Celina, the experience gave her and her family a renewed sense of joy and hope for the future.

Rooted in the spirit of Yawa’, to act on one’s beliefs, San Manuel’s commitment to service extends far beyond our mission. Through their wide-reaching philanthropic and community development efforts, they have uplifted countless organizations and individuals across the region and country.

Since 1983, Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire has granted over 8,300 wishes for children battling critical illnesses. Every wish is unique, but all are built on the belief that hope is medicine. When children like Celina are given the chance to wish and experience something extraordinary, it can transform their emotional and physical outlook and even help them build the strength they need to keep fighting.

In celebrating Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, we hope their powerful example inspires others to follow their lead. We invite you to join us in honoring the Tribe’s legacy of giving by standing with them at the Wish Gala, and by helping to carry forward the generosity they so deeply embody here.

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QUESTIONS? PLEASE CONTACT EVENTS@OCIE.WISH.ORG

OUR MISSION

Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

WHO WE SERVE

Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire grants wishes to children in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Since 1983, our chapter has granted over 8,300 local wishes!

HOPE CAN'T WAIT

For every wish we’re able to grant, there are two more children with a critical illness waiting for theirs. Today alone, 72 kids will receive a critical illness diagnosis and we rely on the generosity of donors like you to make their wishes come true. Help us bring hope for today – and tomorrow.

A WISH BEGINS WITH HOPE.

AND HOPE BEGINS WITH YOU.

A wish experience can be a game-changer

for a child with a critical illness.

This one belief guides us in everything we do at Make-A-Wish. It inspires us to grant life-changing wishes for children going through so much. It compels us to be creative in exceeding the expectations of every wish kid. It drives us to make our donated resources go as far as possible. Most of all, it's the founding principle of our vision to grant the wish of every eligible child.

Together, we create life-changing wishes

for children with critical illnesses.

Wishes are more than just a nice thing. And they are far more than gifts, or singular events in time. Wishes impact everyone involved—wish kids, volunteers, donors, sponsors, medical professionals and communities. For wish kids, just the act of making their wish come true can give them the courage to comply with their medical treatments. Parents might finally feel like they can be optimistic. And still others might realize all they have to offer the world through volunteer work or philanthropy.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH