Sometimes the universe has other plans.
Just ask the Chartway Promise Foundation, which spent all of September creating magical moments for kids battling serious illnesses—only to have their signature fundraising gala washed out by a nor’easter at the last minute.
But here’s the thing about people who dedicate themselves to helping medically fragile children: they don’t give up when things get tough. Instead, they pivot.
When Life Gives You a Nor’easter, Feed Healthcare Workers
The Foundation had to pull the plug on their 18th annual Night for Hope event, scheduled for September 23rd at Norfolk’s Chrysler Museum of Art, when forecasters predicted tidal flooding that would make getting to and from the venue genuinely dangerous. Safety first, always.
But all that prepared food? It didn’t go to waste. The Foundation donated it to Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD), turning a disappointing situation into a surprise thank-you for the healthcare workers who show up every single day for sick kids and their families.
And those young performers from Ability Center of Virginia, Aid Another, and Families of Autism Coming Together (FACT) who were supposed to take the stage? They’ll get their spotlight moment at an upcoming Chartway event. Because when you promise kids their time to shine, you deliver.
“We were deeply disappointed that Night for Hope could not take place as planned, but safety had to come first,” said Rebecca Riordan, president of the Chartway Promise Foundation and chief people and culture officer of Chartway Credit Union. “The families our Foundation serves face disruptions far greater than a canceled event. From an unexpected diagnosis to treatment schedules and long periods of uncertainty, their resilience keeps it all in perspective and reminds us why the work must continue.”
Brian Schools, president and CEO of Chartway Credit Union, put it simply: “A canceled event doesn’t mean canceled impact. External circumstances can change, however, our commitment to our communities does not.”
Three Dream Reveals, Three States, Countless Smiles
While the nor’easter may have dampened Night for Hope, it couldn’t touch the rest of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month’s lineup. The Foundation partnered with wish-granting organizations across Texas, Utah, and Virginia to surprise three children—affectionately called Promise Heroes—with trips they’ll remember forever.
Lucy Gets a Weather Lesson and a Disney Surprise
The day after the canceled gala, golfers gathered at Cedar Point Golf Club in Suffolk, Virginia, for the Foundation’s 27th annual Swings Fore Smiles tournament. Before anyone teed off, 9-year-old Lucy got the surprise of a lifetime.
Thanks to the Foundation’s partnership with Toby’s Dream Foundation, Lucy learned she’d be heading to Disney World with her family this fall. And in true Lucy fashion, she delivered a mini meteorology lesson beforehand, identifying the clouds overhead as “Nimbostratus” that would bring drizzle. Spoiler alert: a little drizzle couldn’t dampen anyone’s spirits that day.
“The relationship between Toby’s Dream and the Chartway Promise Foundation helps give children like Lucy something joyful to look forward to and gives families the opportunity to make memories together,” said Joan Steele, executive director of Toby’s Dream Foundation.
Juliana’s Moana-Themed Send-Off in Houston
The month kicked off on September 3rd at Chartway’s Champions Branch in Houston, where 5-year-old Juliana got her own Disney World wish reveal. The branch team went all out with a tropical Moana-themed celebration—complete with wish wands, games, and a warm welcome for family members in both English and Spanish.
“The Chartway team did not simply host a wish celebration. They wrapped Juliana and her entire family in happiness, love, and community,” said Nicole Gabler, director of foundation engagement for Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana.
Silas Goes Full Demolition Derby VIP
On September 19th, the Foundation took things up a notch at the Utah State Fair’s Day of “Wreck”oning Demolition Derby. Twelve-year-old Silas—recently declared cancer-free after a two-year battle—got the VIP treatment: meeting drivers, touring the pits, and riding into the arena in an actual demolition derby vehicle.
After the national anthem, the crowd learned that Silas would be heading to Hawaii with his family, courtesy of the Chartway Promise Foundation and Make-A-Wish Utah.
“I feel amazing after all that,” Silas said afterward. “It’s amazing. It’s crazy how I went through all of that and then look at me now.”
Daniel Dudley, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Utah, described the moment: “After the wish proclamation, he stood on the hood of the car with a look of triumph as the crowd gave him a standing ovation. His mom and dad couldn’t hold back the tears as they watched their son stand proudly in front of the crowd.”
The Numbers Behind the Magic
Since launching in 2005, the Chartway Promise Foundation has granted $17 million directly supporting wish-granting programs and other initiatives run by their charitable partners. In 2025 alone, they awarded more than $1 million in grants to a record 33 nonprofit partners, funding programs that will run in 2026.
And they’re not done yet. The Foundation is currently accepting charitable grant applications through November 1, 2026, with funds being awarded in December to support partner programs in 2027.
Because sometimes the show must go on—even when Mother Nature has other ideas. And sometimes, the unexpected detours lead to moments just as meaningful as the original plan.