Miracles for Kids gala raises more than $4 million in Orange County

Miracles for Kids raised more than $4 million at its 2026 Night of Miracles Gala on Oct. 17 at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club in Dana Point, California. The record total will fund housing, wellness, basic needs and other support for families with critically ill children.

Why it matters: - Miracles for Kids says the record fundraising will help families cover bills, housing and other urgent needs while caring for critically ill children. - The money supports services that can keep families stable during treatment and reduce the risk of bankruptcy, homelessness, hunger and emotional strain. - The event’s size and donor participation show continued community backing for the nonprofit’s mission.

What happened: - Miracles for Kids raised more than $4 million at its sold-out 2026 Night of Miracles Gala, The Miracle of Tomorrow. - The gala took place Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club in Dana Point, California. - The event drew 500 guests and marked the nonprofit’s 22nd annual gala. - Sequel Brands presented the gala. - Anthony Geisler is founder and CEO of Sequel Brands.

The details: - The evening included a sunset reception, roaming angel performers, a 360-degree GlamBot, and displays of Bugatti and Ferrari sports cars. - Guests were served cocktails, wine and spirits from As One Cru, Perricone Farms & Natalie’s, Javier’s, Deforges Vineyards and Weber Ranch. - Attendees browsed nearly 200 silent auction items and bought opportunity tickets for a chance to win a 65.74-carat diamond tennis necklace valued at $45,000 from Happy Jewelers. - Carolina Rial opened the program with “A Million Dreams,” while Miracles for Kids children joined her onstage with signs about their futures. - Manny “Streetz” Guevara, an actor and iHeartRadio personality, returned as emcee. - The live auction brought in $539,000. - Auction items included an Avengers: Doomsday red carpet premiere, a 2027 Masters Experience package, a three-night Napa Valley escape, a St. Barth’s villa for 12, a Big Sky, Montana, getaway for 16, a Best of London Wimbledon package for two, a Tony Robbins VIP experience for 12 and Bugatti VIP access to Monterey Car Week. - The Puppy Love auction returned with an 11-week-old male mini Goldendoodle, which sold for $14,000 and went home with the Diamond Wish Family. - The Fund-a-Need portion raised $2,388,000 for direct support of Miracles for Kids families. - Sequel Brands matched the $1,201,000 raised in the room dollar for dollar. - The Happy Jewelers necklace brought in an additional $50,100. - Ashanti closed the night with a 30-minute performance that included “Happy,” “Foolish,” “Rock Wit U” and “Always on Time.”

Between the lines: - The gala mixed entertainment, luxury experiences and high-dollar bidding to drive donations for a cause tied to pediatric illness. - The program also used personal stories to show how financial help connects to family stability during a child’s medical crisis. - The Zarate family was honored as the 2026 Miracles for Kids family after Jayden Zarate’s diagnosis with chronic myelogenous leukemia at age 5. - Miracles for Kids said it helped the family with housing, basic necessities and ongoing support. - Jayden is now in remission but continues daily oral chemotherapy, while his mother faces her own leukemia diagnosis. - Quy “Q” Nguyen, founder and CEO of Allyance Communications, was recognized as the 2026 Miracle Maker for 17 years of support. - Merge Opportunities received the 2026 Champion of Children honor for its work with Miracles for Kids through the Pillars Program. - The organization has partnered with Miracles for Kids for three years to connect families with education, employment resources and career guidance.

What's next: - The 2027 Night of Miracles Gala is scheduled to return Oct. 30. - Miracles for Kids says another major musical headliner will be part of next year’s event. - People can get involved at miraclesforkids.org.

The bottom line: - Miracles for Kids turned a gala night of celebrity performances and luxury auctions into more than $4 million for families facing the financial shock of a child’s critical illness.