4 WWW.CHARLESTONWOMENPODCAST.COM | WWW.READCW.COM | WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CHARLESTONWOMEN The Women of Wish Night POWERING A MOVEMENT OF HOPE Behind every magical Wish Night moment is a community united for one purpose: granting lifechanging wishes for children with critical illnesses. Meet a few of the many incredible Lowcountry women helping make Make-A-Wish South Carolina’s signature gala a success. Kat Wawner, CEO & Founder of Wawner Strategies and Chair of the Wish Night Leadership Committee, brings bold leadership and a passion for impact. Erin Kienzle, CEO & Founder of Giving4Good Events and beloved host of Lowcountry Live!, returns for her third year as our dynamic auctioneer. Wish kid Elaina, a leukemia survivor and wish alum whose Disney dream came true in 2016, now steps into the spotlight as coemcee - proof that wishes transform lives. Brooke Ryan, local radio personality and W.I.S.H. Society alum, joins Elaina to bring energy and heart to the stage. Shannon Rice, Make-A-Wish South Carolina Development Manager - Coastal Region, ensures every detail shines. From leadership and logistics to storytelling and fundraising, these women represent the creativity and commitment that fuel Wish Night. Their efforts - and those of countless volunteers, sponsors, and donors - help turn dreams into defining milestones for kids across South Carolina. Special thanks to Ashley Daly of OMG! Candy and Natalie Holst of Holst + Lee — dedicated Make-A-Wish South Carolina supporters and W.I.S.H. Society alumni — for providing the vibrant setting and jewelry for this feature. On March 14, 2026, the Sweetgrass Inn at Wild Dunes Resort will transform into a world where imagination knows no bounds. Guests will experience live wish reveals, inspiring stories, elevated dining, and auctions filled with exclusive treasures — all to grant wishes for children battling critical illnesses. Why does it matter? Since moving to the Lowcountry in 2022, Wish Night has raised over $2.2 million, funding hundreds of wishes that restore hope when it’s needed most. Right now, more than 325 children in South Carolina are waiting for a wish. Every sponsorship, every bid, every moment helps bring joy, strength, and healing to wish kids and their families. This is more than a gala. It’s a movement. And these women are leading the charge. Step Into a World of Pure Imagination March 14, 2026 | Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms LEARN MORE: wishnightsc.org Pictured from left: Shannon Rice, wish kid Elaina, Kat Wawner, and Erin Kienzle. Photography by Sarah Kassouf of SLK Photography.
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