Kailey Paul and her mother Donna. Courtesy photos.
First major fundraiser celebrates merger of Make-A-Wish Vermont & Northeast New York
Vermont Business Magazine The final numbers have been tallied from Make-A-Wish Vermont & Northeast New York's inaugural Whiskey, Wine, & Wishes gala, revealing that the March 8th event raised nearly $300,000 to support wishes for children with critical illnesses. The prohibition-era themed celebration at Saratoga's historic Canfield Casino included $268,000 in monetary contributions and $40,000 in in-kind donations.
The sold-out event came just days after the organization announced the completion of its merger, unifying Make-A-Wish Vermont and Make-A-Wish Northeast New York into a single regional chapter.
"This remarkable evening showcased the power of a community coming together for our Wish Kids and their families," said Jamie Hathaway, President and CEO. "And we proved we could have a lot of fun doing it.”
A pivotal moment of the evening came when 16-year-old Wish Kid Kailey Paul and her mother Donna shared their wish journey. Kailey, who battled a brain tumor and received her equestrian equipment wish at the Lake Placid Horse Show, moved the audience by confidently removing her wig at the conclusion of her speech—a powerful symbol of her strength. Their story directly preceded the Fund-A-Wish portion, which alone raised over $100,000.
Guests enjoyed premium wine and whiskey tastings, with VIP experiences hosted by Bocage Champagne Bar and First Fill Spirits in the Saratoga History Museum. The evening featured live entertainment by the 10 Most Wanted Band, auctions of luxury items, and a three-course dinner.
The success of Whiskey, Wine, & Wishes was made possible through the generous support of numerous sponsors and partners:
Event Sponsors:
- American Boiler
- Goldman Sachs Ayco
- Coldwell Banker Prime Properties
- Someone Else's Child
- Mohawk Chevy
- Fiddlehead Brewing
- Pioneer Bank
- Towne Law
- Graypoint LLC
- Vermont Construction Company
- NBT Bank
- NPA Financial
- Mohawk Ambulance
- Kingsway Community
- TriNova
- drb Business Interiors
Event Partners:
- Bacchus Private Events & Concierge Services
- The Night Owl
- Lark Street Photography
- Ten Most Wanted
- Total Events LLC
VIP Tastings Provided by:
- Bocage Champagne Bar
- First Fill Spirits
Signature Cocktail Sponsor:
- New Scotland Spirits
The newly merged organization maintains Wishing Spaces in Shelburne, Vermont and Saratoga Springs, New York, ensuring access to Make-A-Wish resources throughout the region.
About Make-A-Wish Vermont & Northeast New York
Make-A-Wish Vermont & Northeast New York is a nonprofit organization dedicated to granting life-changing wishes to provide hope, strength, and joy throughout the healing process. Operating from Wishing Spaces in Shelburne, Vermont and Saratoga Springs, New York, the chapter has granted nearly 3,500 wishes since 1986. With the support of generous donors, volunteers, and community partners, we serve Wish Kids across a community spanning 20,000 square miles throughout Vermont and 15 counties in Northeast New York.
To support vital journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
