On Friday, September 19, 2025, TEXAS YES hosted its annual gala Aces Wild Casino Night, bringing together supporters and friends for an evening of western style, entertainment, and generosity. Following the success of the inaugural event in 2024, which raised $538,000, this year’s celebration brought in $549,335 in support of Title I students across Texas.
More than 400 guests gathered for a lively night that featured cocktails, dinner, and casino-style games alongside live music from the Bret Mullins Band. Guests placed bids in live and silent auctions, posed for keepsakes at a themed photo booth, and took home leather coasters that were branded on the spot with the Aces Wild logo. Adding to the fun, miniature donkeys dressed in western gear roamed through the venue carrying free goodies. With cowboy hats and boots all around, the night combined plenty of fun with a shared purpose of giving back.
A Night of Recognition
A highlight of the evening was celebrating our 2025 Volunteer of the Year, Kara Yiannos. Kara has been a dedicated supporter of TEXAS YES, helping with many Little Locker restockings and stepping up in big ways to advance our mission. Most notably, she collected an incredible 2,946 books for our programs, helping us share the joy of reading with students across Texas. Interested in volunteering? Join us here.
We also presented the Breakie Legacy Award, which honors individuals who have made a lasting impact on TEXAS YES and our mission to provide educational support for Texas youth. This year’s recipients was Thomas J. Henry from Thomas J. Henry Law.
Making a Difference Together
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, donors, and attendees, $549,335 was raised at this year’s Casino Night. This surpassed last year’s total and will support TEXAS YES programs, including literacy initiatives, classroom and program grants, and school supply distributions for Title 1 students in San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth, Corpus Christi, and Austin.
This event’s success would not have been possible without the individuals and companies who believe in closing the gap in educational equality. Thank you for continuing to stand with us and for helping provide Texas students with the resources they need to thrive.
About TEXAS YES
TEXAS YES is a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the gap in educational equality by supporting Title 1 students across San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth, Corpus Christi, and Austin. Through programs such as Little Lockers, Box of Dreams school supply kits, and classroom grants, we provide resources that empower both students and teachers. Since 1998, TEXAS YES has been committed to helping Texas students succeed in and out of the classroom.
