Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana

Offices in Stafford, TX and Metairie, LA.

Make-A-Wish® Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana is one of 62 chapters throughout the United States and its territories. Children from 47 counties in the Texas Gulf Coast area and all 64 parishes of Louisiana benefit from the efforts of this Make-A-Wish chapter. The Foundation also includes 40 international affiliates spanning five continent.

Our chapter is governed by a 46 member Board, made up of 33 directors and 13 advisors from both states as well as a 9 (6 full time and 3 part time) member staff. Volunteer committees assist in all phases of our mission, from child-focused wish teams to solicitation of goods and services to meet the needs of specific wishes.

Wish children are referred to Make-A-Wish by immediate family members, medical professionals or the children themselves. Once Make-A-Wish has been contacted, a medical release form is sent to the child’s primary physician. Upon medical approval, a volunteer team sets up a time to visit with the child to determine the one true wish in that child’s heart. Then the wish team makes the necessary arrangements for the wish to come true (average wish cost is $8,900). The goal is to provide a joyful and meaningful experience that gives the immediate family time together away from medical treatments & medical bills.

Texas Office:
Teresa (Teri) Andrepont, President & CEO
Melissa Henderson, Director of Finance
Nikki Eliason, Senior Director of Program Services
Julie Baldwin, Director of Program Services
Stephanie Payton, Wish Coordinator
Amanda Mewborn, Senior Director of Development
Michelle Morrison, Development Coordinator, Texas

Louisiana Office:
Arielle Schwartz, Development Coordinator, Louisiana
Elise Southwick, Wish Coordinator