Pine-based nonprofit doubles fundraising goal on behalf of Make-A-Wish

The inaugural 412 Gives Back Gala brought in $90,000 to benefit Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia, which will grant 18 wishes to local children.

That represents much more than the original fundraising goal, Pine residents Amy Fleming and Billie Higgins, co-founders of the nonprofit philanthropic organization 412 Gives Back.

“We set out to raise $40,000 in honor of Make-A-Wish’s 40th anniversary, so to raise more than double our goal in our first year is absolutely remarkable,” Higgins said. “It really is a testament to the generosity of our Pittsburgh community wanting to come together for an incredible cause.”

The Roaring ’20s-themed gala, drew nearly 225 guests in January at the Fox Chapel Golf Club.

Those in attendance were transported back to the Prohibition era with music by the band RML Jazz, flapper performers from Fairytale Princess Visits and, of course, a speakeasy. Guests embraced the theme — wearing flapper headbands, hats and pearls — and ended the night on a packed dance floor.

The mission of 412 Gives Back, founded in 2023, is to bring the Pittsburgh community together by creating unforgettable events that benefit local nonprofits. An annual gala is planned to serve as 412’s biggest fundraising event.

“The inaugural gala exceeded our expectations,” Fleming said, “and we look forward to having Make-A-Wish as our beneficiary once again next year.”

Featured guest speakers at the gala included two Make-A-Wish families: Lindsay and Doug Soxman of Tarentum, parents of Natalie, 11; and Missy Ramirez, mother of Jax, 8, of Zelienople. They shared their experiences and encouraged support of the organization.

Ramirez, a Pine-Richland school psychologist, also hosted an informational table on how to join the national blood stem cell donor registry in honor of Jax, who is still seeking a life-saving bone marrow transplant.

North Shore-based cybersecurity company Qintel was the presenting sponsor of the gala. Stephanie Pugliese, Make-A-Wish director of development, presented Qintel with a plaque recognizing the company as a Wishmaker. Its sponsorship will grant two wishes for children in the area.

Sponsors Edgar Snyder & Associates and Josh and Julie Becker also were presented with Wishmaker plaques during the gala.

The event raised funds through direct donations, a silent auction and wine pull. A limited-ticket raffle featured a pair of $5,000 diamond earrings totaling three carats, donated by Noah Gabriel & Co. Jewelers, and raised $10,000 toward granting wishes.

Higgins said planning for next year’s annual gala, on Jan. 11 at the same venue, already is underway.

“Although this year will be hard to top, we promise our plans for the next gala will be even bigger and better,” she. “We can’t wait to reveal the theme this February.”

For more information, visit www.412givesback.org.