Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southern Florida

Event Recaps & Photos

		Make-A-Wish Ultimate Sports Extravaganza & Auction On Thursday, February 25, 2010, Featured Guest Coach Don Shula and a jam-packed team of local and national sports stars came together in support of the 17th Annual Make-A-Wish Ultimate Sports Extravaganza & Auction. During the cocktail reception, guests interacted with sports stars and wish children alike, playing Nintendo Wii, visiting autograph stations and posing for photos. Up for grabs in the Silent Auction were more than 130 one-of-a-kind packages, sports experiences and memorabilia; while players and coaches took to the stage during the Live Auction, sweetening the bounty with extra perks. Afterward, guests mingled and sipped cocktails in the Ultimate Design Lounge presented by V*Starr Interiors. Because of this magical evening the wishes of 30 local children will be granted. 100% of the proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southern Florida. For event photos, click here.

		Walk for Wishes® 5K Walk/Run The inaugural Walk for Wishes® 5K Walk/Run was held on Saturday, February 6, 2010 simultaneously at Markham Park in Weston, FL and Estero Community Park in Estero, FL. More than 1,000 participants crossed the finish line in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southern Florida. Several wish children and their families were present as Special Guests. Afterward, participants were treated to Family Fun Day activities. All together, more than $60,000 was raised which will grant 12 heartfelt wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. For race results, click here. To view event photos, click here.

		The 15th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball The 15th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball was held on Saturday, November 7, 2009. More than 800 of South Florida’s local moguls, fashion mavens, prominent business leaders, notable philanthropists and socialites were asked to imagine a world connected by the wonder of a wish. Pamela Anderson acted as the celebrity auctioneer for the extravagant Live Auction and Beatlemania Now delighted guests with classic Beatles tunes. Special Guest Florida Governor Charlie Crist was in attendance along with Richie Rich, Venus Williams and Scottie Pippen. Proceeds from the Ball will go toward making wishes come true for local children with life-threatening medical conditions. To view pictures from the event, click here.

		2nd Annual Taste of Parrotdise For the second year in a row, the Barefoot Children of Fort Lauderdale Parrothead Club in association with the Florida Builder Appliances hosted 200 guests for a fun tropical evening featuring the “Cheeseburger In Paradise” Cheeseburger Throwdown competition between 3 local chefs, “Ace of Cakes” themed decorating contest, sampling of local fare from select restaurants, wine and beer tasting, silent auction, raffle prizes and live tropical music. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida was chosen as the beneficiary after being pitched by volunteer Brit Lanier of Two Men and A Truck. The event was a lot of fun and a big success raising $4,800!

		Puttin’ on the Wish Platinum Powerboat Club showed local wish children that good things still happen. On Friday, October 16th, boaters from across the country came out to have fun in the sun with wishes in their hearts. As the kick-off to their powerboat poker run, Platinum Powerboat Club members gave rides of a lifetime to wish children and their families. The afternoon was spent at Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa, where children were able to play in the pool, bounce house and have their faces painted. The evening settled down for a great dinner, live auction and artwork by Dean Loucks. Proceeds from the live auction benefitted the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southern Florida. To view pictures from the event, click here.

		Strike Out for Wishes Once again, Tradition Field and the St. Lucie Mets hit a home run for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida! IBM Corporation and Wish Granter/Volunteer Dianna Heard sponsored the unique Honorary Coach Program in which our past and current wish children got to participate as “coaches” during the New York Mets Spring Training season at Tradition Field in St. Lucie County. This program helped to promote the St. Lucie Mets’ Strike Out for Wishes campaign that took place during the 2009 MLB Minor League Season. For each strikeout thrown by a St. Lucie Mets pitcher at Tradition Field, $3.00 was donated from each participating sponsor. Generous sponsors include longtime program supporter Dr. Michael Solomon and Mr. Bob Baldassari from PGA Golf Club. With their help, more than $5,000 was raised this season to grant the wish of St. Lucie County resident, Preston. Preston will have his VIP shopping experience come true thanks to the success of this ballpark promotion. In its 3-year history, more than $15,000 has been raised to grant the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions residing in St. Lucie County.

		11th Annual Make-A-Wish Bachelor & Bachelorette Dream Date Auction Love was in the air at the 11th Annual Make-A-Wish Bachelor & Bachelorette Dream Date Auction on Friday, July 24, 2009. In front of a packed crowd at Opium Nightclub in Seminole Paradise at the Hard Rock, 20 of South Florida’s hottest singles were auctioned off to the highest bidders. BIG 105.9 FM’s Paul and Young Ron hosted this exciting event that raised $35,000, enough to grant 7 wishes to local children. To view pictures from the event, click here.

		Hook, Line & Sinker - Fish for A Wish Makes A Splash On April 25th, the Plantation Junior Woman’s Club (PJWC) hosted their 26th annual event benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Southern Florida, which they founded. One-hundred and thirty-five guests joined in the festivities at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame in Dania Beach, to raise funds to help make the wishes of our special children come true. The event, emceed by Mark Schumacher, is expected to have raised over $20,000. Guests enjoyed participating in Catch & Release – a “Let’s Make A Deal” style game, a virtual fishing tournament, silent and live auctions, dinner and dancing.This year’s PJWC event will bring the organization’s contributions to the Make-A-Wish Foundation over $700,000. On June 17th The Plantation Junior Woman’s Club presented a check to CEO Norm Wedderburn and Board Chair-Elect Brenda Yester for $25,000!

		2nd Annual Spring Fling & Flower Fashion Show Guests at the 2nd Annual Spring Fling & Flower Fashion Show on Friday, May 15, 2009 relaxed the night away in a cocktail atmosphere designed to delight while savoring wonderful appetizers prepared by the world-class chefs at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort. Local celebrities took to the runway, donning unique floral gowns created by local florists and designers. Guests also had the opportunity to bid in a fabulous Silent Auction. It was the perfect evening to mix and mingle while supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Southern Florida. To view pictures from the event, click here.

		Hawkes Bluff Elementary 5th Grade Fundraiser The 5th graders at Hawkes Bluff Elementary in Pembroke Pines chose the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Southern Florida to benefit from their Annual Service Project. Through their fundraising efforts, like the sale of “smencils,” the classes raised over $2,700 for the Foundation!

		NSU Sharks Baseball and Softball games On Friday, April 17th, as part of their national partnership with the NCAA Division II Schools, the Nova Southeastern University Baseball and Softball teams helped raise money to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Southern Florida. All proceeds from the game were donated to the Foundation, and student athletes sold wish stars to guests. In addition, the baseball team invited Nick, a local wish child, to throw out the first pitch and meet the team.

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