The 13th annual Make-A-Wish gala raises over $800,000 in its famous Live auction with special honoree auctioneer Sharon Stone

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The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southern Florida celebrated its 13th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball with a Hollywood- themed gala dinner, a musical performance by Natalie Cole and an extravagant live auction emceed by Hollywood actress and philanthropist Sharon Stone.

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An impressive array of luxury brands and leading South Florida businesses have generously donated items for this year’s live auction presented by Edie Laquer of Laquer Corporate Realty Group, Inc., who is a major donor to the foundation. The money raised during this year’s live auction raised over $800,000 surpassing last year's $130,000 during.

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Generous Supporters in attendance were Lifetime Benefactors Al and Nancy Malnik, Founding Benefactors Howard and Barbara Glickman, and Grand Benefactor Stanley and Gala Cohen.
Among VIPs and national celebrities in attendance: Senator Bob Graham and wife Adelle, Scotty Pippen, Florida Marlin's Juan Pierre, Chicago Cub's Cliff Floyd, Mike and Alicia Piazza, Robert Van Winkle (aka Vanilla Ice), Erin Cosby, Loren and J.R. Ridinger, CEO of Market America.com with daughter Amber Ridinger, Al and Nancy Malnik, Lee Brian Schrager and Wayne Chaplin.

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Also attending this year's gala: Roy and Lea Black, Anwar Zayden, Cindy Carr, Jerry and Joan Robins, Bill McCue with wife Lisa Petrillo, Stephen and Bobbi Berkman, Amy Zakarin, Jennifer Gibbs, Joey Goldman, Stephen and Sandra Muss, Peter Lofton, Dan and Merle Weiss, Haute Living publisher Kamal Hotchandani, Jordan and Denise Zimmerman, Marlem Pernetti, Marissa Toccin, Chapman Ducote, Dan Goodstadt, Tara Solomon, Nick D'Annunzio, Michael Dreiling, Mark and Marcia Randazzo, Gail Posner, Ruth Regina, Michael Capponi and wife Erin , Miami Herald's Lesley Abravanel, Morton Aagaard and Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard, Stacey Benedetti, Maxwell Blanford, Robert Press, Remy Jacobson, Palm Beach Post columnist Jose Lambiet with wife Alina Lambiet, Joeland Beverly Altman.

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This fundraising event would not be possible without the generous contributions, both financial and of time, of Make-A-Wish of Southern Florida’s top sponsors and dedicated staff, including Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida President/CEO Norman Wedderburn; 2007 Ball Chairman and Forge restaurant ownerShareef Malnik; and InterContinental Miami General Manager Jack J. Miller.

A-list celebrities and Miami’s top VIPs and philanthropists will be bidding on a series of luxurious items, including a 2007 Ferrari F430 F1 Coupe donated by THE COLLECTION; a one-week charter on the 106’ Broward Motor yacht Soulmate, donated on behalf of Tom and Rhonda Lewis at Broward Marine; Sharon Stone’s own vintage Rolls Royce; an extraordinary trip to Argentina provided by Southern Wine & Spirits, with hotel accommodations provided by the InterContinental Buenos Aires; blinged timepieces from Jacob & Co.; a three-night stay in The Setai Miami hotel’s penthouse and a one-week stay on Red Mountain in Aspen donated by Edward Freedman; a private party package extravaganza at Mansion nightclub provided by The Opium Group; an Ocean Drive magazine photo shoot with a Hollywood superstar and renowned photographer; and an opportunity to dress in Hollywood style by couturier Rene Ruiz.