MEDIA AVAILABILITY: AMERICA’S BALL FOR THE MALL, CELEBRATING AMERICA’S 250TH, FEATURES SURPRISE ADAPTED VEHICLE PRESENTATION FROM WELLS FARGO AND THE GARY SINISE FOUNDATION TO U.S. ARMY CAPTAIN INJURED IN THE LINE OF DUTY

WASHINGTON (April 22, 2026) — The Trust for the National Mall’s signature spring gala, AMERICA’S BALL for THE MALL, on May 7, will serve as the grand kickoff to America’s 250th on the National Mall. It will celebrate the mission of the Trust and the National Park Service, honor two luminaries with the 2026 History, Heroes & Hope Awards and feature the presentation of a surprise custom adapted vehicle to a U.S. Army veteran injured in the line of duty.

Against the backdrop of the U.S. Capitol Building and the Washington Monument, the Trust will present its 2026 History, Heroes & Hope Awards during the BALL to:

Elana Meyers Taylor, 2026 U.S. Gold medalist in Bobsled, 6-time Olympic medalist and the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympic history, who tells the story of resilience, reinvention, historic achievement and a relentless pursuit of gold nearly two decades in the making.

The Gary Sinise Foundation, established by award-winning actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise, the organization works to honor America’s defenders, veterans, first responders and families of fallen heroes by building custom homes for severely wounded heroes, supporting the families of our fallen, providing essential equipment and training for first responders and improving the mental wellness of our defenders.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY:

WHAT: Wells Fargo, The Gary Sinise Foundation media availability & invite for coverage of vehicle presentation and family interviews

WHEN: Thursday, May 7, 2026

4:30-5:30 p.m. ET – Pre-Event Interviews - Availability for Gary Sinise Foundation, Wells Fargo, U.S. Army veteran and family receiving the surprise adapted vehicle. VISUALS: National Mall, U.S. Capitol, the vehicle.

7:50-8:08 p.m. ET – Surprise Vehicle Donation on stage - Capture footage of the surprise vehicle donation to the Avila family on stage. VISUALS: Presentation from Wells Fargo to Avila Family alongside Gary Sinise Foundation.
7:30 p.m. ET – Awards Program Begins

WHERE: National Mall, grass panel at 1300 Jefferson Drive SW

WHO: Jason Rosenberg, Head of Public Affairs, Wells Fargo, Colonel Gregory Gadson of the Gary Sinise Foundation, U.S. Army Capt. (ret.) Luis Avila, and wife, Claudia Avila, Trust for the National Mall President & CEO Catherine Townsend

About AMERICA’S BALL for THE MALL: Additional featured speakers, presenters and signature entertainment to include musical performance by Emmy- and Tony-winning artist Kristin Chenoweth; emcee, CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell; U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum; Trust Board Chair and HP, Inc. Interim CEO Bruce Broussard; Co-Chairman of the Carlyle Group, Owner Baltimore Orioles, David M. Rubenstein; Managing Partner of the Washington Commanders’ Josh Harris; and Trust for the National Mall President and CEO Catherine Townsend. (NOTE: Interview requests for honorees or featured speakers and entertainment can be shared with jmoore@nationalmall.org)

ABOUT THE TRUST FOR THE NATIONAL MALL: As the nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit philanthropic partner of the National Park Service, the Trust for the National Mall is dedicated to restoring, enriching and preserving the National Mall. The Trust raises private funding, provides project expertise and in-kind support to help elevate the National Mall and its historic purpose, especially critical as we approach America’s 250th in 2026. The Trust leads capital restoration projects, mobilizes volunteer operations and provides innovative educational experiences to ensure the National Mall, with 36 million visits each year, endures and inspires now and for future generations. The Trust is also the philanthropic partner of The White House grounds and President’s Park, adjacent to the National Mall. The Trust is also the philanthropic partner of President’s Park, including the White House grounds, adjacent to the National Mall. To learn more and to support our mission please visit: www.nationalmall250.org | information@nationalmall.org | @thenationalmall

ABOUT THE GARY SINISE FOUNDATION: established in 2011 by award-winning actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise who has been a staunch advocate for our nation’s defenders across five decades, honors and supports America’s defenders, veterans, first responders and their families by building custom homes for our nation’s most severely wounded heroes, supporting the families of our fallen, providing essential equipment and training for first responders, uplifting and entertaining our nation’s heroes through Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band concerts, improving the mental wellness of our defenders and much more. For more information and to support, visit www.garysinisefoundation.org.

ABOUT WELLS FARGO: Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $2.2 trillion in assets. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 33 on Fortune’s 2025 rankings of America’s largest corporations. News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories. Additional information may be found at www.wellsfargo.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellsfargo

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