El Paso, TX (September 9, 2025) |
Community spirit shined brightly on Saturday as Raiz Federal Credit Union team members gathered to celebrate seven-year-old Natalia Sanchez, who is about to see her biggest wish come true: a trip to Walt Disney World® to meet her favorite character, Stitch, from Lilo & Stitch.
In less than a month, Raiz team members raised $12,396, far exceeding the $10,000 goal needed to fulfill Natalia's wish. What began as bake sales, raffles, and employee-led professional headshot sessions quickly grew into a movement within the credit union. Each department found creative ways to contribute, bringing the team closer to its goal. The result was not only reaching a fundraising milestone but also a genuine reflection of Raiz's core values: empower, impact, and uplift.
“What stands out today is not just fulfilling Natalia’s wish, but the love behind it," shared Raiz President and CEO Max Villaronga. “Our team members dedicated their time, energy, and hearts to Natalia’s dream, and I am incredibly proud to see Raiz’s values so clearly reflected in their actions.”
Representatives from Make-A-Wish North Texas El Paso joined the celebration at the Raiz Community Impact building, where team members, Natalia's family and friends, and community partners gathered for the big reveal. The room was filled with cheers, applause, and Stitch-themed decorations honoring Natalia's favorite character.
“Once again, Raiz Federal Credit Union stepped [up] for our El Paso wish kids. They see clearly that when communities come together, the impact can be extraordinary," said Kim Elenez, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish El Paso. "Natalia's dream of visiting Disney World will bring her joy, hope, and strength, while creating treasured memories with her family. And it takes us all coming together to make wishes happen."
Typically, the Wishmakers at Work® program takes organizations nearly a year to reach their fundraising goals. Raiz team members accomplished this in just a few weeks, demonstrating the power of coming together around a shared purpose.
For Raiz, the day wasn't just about fundraising; it was about the joy on Natalia's face when she learned she would finally hug Stitch in person. It was about showing what happens when team members go beyond their daily tasks to support a child and her family. It reflected Raiz's commitment to growing stronger together, rooted in community.
“We're really appreciative of everything that everyone has done, it's a weight off our shoulders, as far as you know, financially it's something that we wouldn't be able to do on our own, so we're really grateful as a family”, said Omar Sanchez, Natalia’s father. “Thank you, thank you so much, and we're very fortunate to be part of this initiative with you."
For more information about Make-A-Wish or the Wishmakers at Work program, visit wish.org/ntx.
For more information about Raiz and its community initiatives, please follow us @RaizFCU on Facebook and @raiz.us on Instagram.
