Magic Nonprofit Raises $50,000 at Gala
A Moment of Magic brought in $50,000 at its annual Night of Magic Gala on Fifth Avenue in late September.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Philanthropy
A Moment of Magic raised $50,000 in one evening at its annual Night of Magic Gala, held in late September on Fifth Avenue in New York City. The nonprofit connects critically or chronically ill children with volunteers dressed as beloved characters.
Why it matters
The fundraiser supports a nonprofit that has reached more than 185,000 children through hospital and community partnerships nationwide. For families in New York City, it highlights local volunteer efforts that bring comfort to hospitalized young patients.
The gala raised $50,000, surpassing the organization's fundraising goal, and the nonprofit reports reaching more than 185,000 children since 2014. Details on how the funds will be allocated were not disclosed.
The players
A Moment of Magic
A Moment of Magic is a nonprofit organization that connects with children who are critically or chronically ill through volunteer visits and costumed appearances at hospitals and community sites.
Kylee McGrane-Zarnoch
Kylee McGrane-Zarnoch founded A Moment of Magic and serves as its executive director, having begun the work in 2014 after visiting her grandparents in hospitals.
The details
Student volunteers visit hospitalized children dressed as Disney characters or action heroes, while old costumes are sanitized and adapted with zippers or buttons to accommodate intravenous ports. Founder Kylee McGrane-Zarnoch started the work after visiting her grandparents in hospitals and seeing how much their inclusion in milestones meant to them.
Timeline
2014: A Moment of Magic began with a single hospital visit and a Princess Elsa dress.
Late September 2026: The Night of Magic Gala raised $50,000 on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
Philanthropy Landscape
Volunteer-driven nonprofits focused on pediatric hospital patients often work alongside hospital child life programs to extend emotional support beyond clinical care. A Moment of Magic's model, built on trained student volunteers, reflects this complementary role within the broader philanthropic sector.
Residents who want to support the work can donate through the nonprofit's website, and volunteers at participating college chapters can join hospital visits. The organization's chapters at colleges across the country offer ways for students to get involved directly.
The takeaway
Small, volunteer-led efforts can extend emotional support to hospitalized children in ways clinical care alone cannot. Supporting local chapters or donating directly helps sustain that work.
Further reading
Explore more Philanthropy coverage to see how nonprofits like A Moment of Magic fund their work.
More information
Learn more and donate through the A Moment of Magic donation and information site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Times Leader.
