Seeking Donations: The Make-A-Wish Hope is Essential Gala (4/29)

I’m passing on this information from Kelly Johnson, Advancement Associate of Make-A-Wish:

“Our annual Hope is Essential Gala is coming up on April 29^th, 2022 at the JW Marriott Indianapolis. Last year, we raised $620,000, granting the wishes of 62 kids battling critical illnesses in Central Indiana. We are currently requesting the community to help us with donations (below).

Anyone interested in making a donation can please contact Kelly Johnson at kjohnson@oki.wish.org, or mail items directly to the Make-A-Wish Indianapolis office, located at 6201 Corporate Drive, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46278. Make-A-Wish is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, with the tax-exempt ID #34-1471131, and donations are tax-deductible.

*Proceeds from the event will help put smiles on the faces of local Central Indiana children in need of a little extra hope, strength, and joy.

• Live + Silent Auction Prizes

This is a huge piece of the gala, raising $87,000 last year!

Silent Auction: We need your help finding amazing items to offer in our auction, small or large. This could include event tickets, hotel vouchers, gift cards, sports related items, artwork, or any product or merchandise someone would love to bid on! Smaller items will be compiled into larger themed packages, and large donations may be auctioned as stand-alone items. The average value of a silent auction basket is at least $100.00.

Live Auction: Just like the silent auction, we are looking to offer a variety of unique and fun experiences for our guests to bid on. These items are high in value, such as vacation rental packages, private dining experiences, large products, etc.

• VIP Wine Package + Stock the Bar + Liquor Pull

VIP Wine Package: We are asking all wine connoisseurs, celebrities, influential Hoosiers, and business owners to donate a bottle of wine toward a very special live auction package. We are seeking up to 100 bottles of high end wine ($50.00 minimum) to be auctioned as a special collection to be appraised and then enjoyed by one lucky winner. Some of our donors may also want to include a note with their bottle for the winning guest, describing why they support Make-A-Wish or how they chose a certain wine.

Stock the Bar: One guest will have the opportunity to bid and take home a “stock the bar” package, featuring a variety of beer, wine, and liquor to take home! We are seeking a variety of alcohol donations to offer as part of the package.

Liquor Pull: Guests will be able to pay to do a “liquor pull” to take home a bottle. The guest makes a donation, pulls a number, and then is able to take home one of our bottles corresponding to that number! We are seeking a variety of high end liquor for this fun opportunity.

• Ticket Sales

Our event website is: Central Indiana Hope is Essential Gala (wish.org). Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased here. The event includes a cocktail hour, dinner, program, and live music post-program.