Now in its seventh year, The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wyoming Stories of Light wine tasting, dinner and auction is Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m., at the Best Western Ramkota.

This year's theme is "I wish to be a Cowboy." The gala evening is the kick-off for the Stories of Light wish-raising campaign. As money is donated to equal the cost of a wish, a level or "story" of the Platte River Parkway Oil Derrick is lit with holiday lights for all to enjoy.

Ann Zwickl, executive director of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wyoming, times the fundraising campaign to occur each November.

"Christmas is a time when wishes really do come true," she said.

Summaries of wish children and their wish requests will be broadcast by GapWest radio stations and KCWY Channel 13 from Nov. 14 through Dec. 15.

Saturday's event features a large variety of exclusive wines by Poplar Wines & Spirits. Music will be provided by the bluegrass group "Ana & Friends." A gourmet dinner will be served and portraits of wish children by artist Tom Loepp will be sold to patrons and presented to wish families.

Other live auction items include a black bear hunt, wild game dinner at Pathfinder Ranch, original artwork by Jim Kopp, Carol Swinney, Zak Pullen, and Robert Deurloo; Mexico and Belize adventure packages, fishing trips, and other fabulous items. The highlight of the evening will be inspirational stories and videos shared by wish families.

Two raffles conclude on Saturday night, one for a child's playhouse on display in the lobby of the Ramkota and one for a freezer filled with pork and beef. Each raffle chance is $50.

Raffle tickets are available before the event at the Make-A-Wish office, 201 E. 2nd, Ste. 27.

Tickets for the Saturday evening gala are $90 each or $700 for a table of eight.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wyoming is a nonprofit organization that grants the wishes of children ages 2 1/2 to 18 with life-threatening medical conditions.

For more information or to make reservations, call 234-9474 or e-mail makeawish@wyoming.wish.org.