Alice in Wonderland-inspired gala raises money for Pittsburgh Make-A-Wish kids

FOX CHAPEL, Pa. — A sold-out gala encouraged people to dress up, have fun and raise money for kids in need Saturday night.

Tickets for the 412 Gives Back Gala: Mad Hatter Affair sold out in just five hours. The gala was held at the Fox Chapel Golf Club that was transformed into an Alice in Wonderland-inspired event.

Nearly 300 people made their way through the looking glass, grabbed a ‘Drink Me’ potion from Alice on their way down the rabbit hole and stepped into a whimsical wonderland.

The event was the second annual gala put on by 412 Gives Back.

“Tonight’s theme is Mad Hatter,” said Amy Fleming, the co-founder of 412 Gives Back. “It’s not a costume party. It is a black-tie optional event but we wanted people to just go all out with the event. We want them to wear fun accessories, fun hats, fun head pieces.”

412 Gives Back is a volunteer-based nonprofit that shines a light on local charities. Co-founders Fleming and Billie Higgins started the nonprofit about two years ago.

All money raised at this year’s gala goes to Make-A-Wish for kids in the Greater Pennsylvania area like 11-year-old Fred Poe.

Stephanie Pugliese, the director of development for Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia, said the wish they grant the most is a trip to Disney World, which can cost $5,000 for a family of four.

“Some wishes cost more, some cost less, but our wish maker level is $5,000, so for every $5,000 this gala raises, that is another wish being funded,” Pugliese said.

Organizers said last year’s inaugural gala raised $90,000 for Make-A-Wish, more than doubling the original goal.

“The support we’ve received from our community is really amazing,” Fleming said. “It’s really incredible to see everybody coming together and see what we can do for the greater good, for our community.”

Thanks to sponsors and donors in the community last year, 412 Gives Back co-founders said they were able to grant 18 heartfelt wishes to children battling critical illnesses.

Amanda Huber of Wexford is a proud supporter.

“What these kids go through is something unimaginable, so to be able to give back to them just to give them a little glimmer of hope I think is truly incredible, so we would do anything to help support them,” Huber said.

This year’s fundraising goal is $100,000, but organizers say they far exceeded that number. They raised $165,000, with $44,000 coming from the auction.

Once the Mad Hatter gala event ends, 412 Gives Back starts planning for next year’s event. Tickets to the general public will go on sale in October.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

©2025 Cox Media Group