SAVE THE DATE: Make-A-Wish announces date for its 16th gala at the InterContinental.

Robert Hill, Shareef Malnik, Norman Wedderburn,and James Ferraro Photo by Manny Hernandez
The upcoming 16th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball, will be held on Saturday, November 6. This year's theme for one of Miami's social season premeire event will be an Asian-inspired theme and have special guest actress from ABC's Modern Family, Sofia Vergara.

“Last year’s Ball is a testament to the impact our community can make. Despite the economy, we still managed to sell out months in advance, and most notably, were able to raise an astonishing amount of funds – enough to make 200 wishes come true. It is because of our loyal supporters that come out year after year that we are able to keep the power of a wish alive in South Florida,” said Shareef Malnik, Ball Chairman and proprietor of The Forge Restaurant | Winebar.

Guests included Norman Wedderburn, President/CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southern Florida; Robert Hill, Gala Host and General Manager of InterContinental MiamiJames Ferraro, founder of the Ferraro Law Firm and Wish Benefactor, and wife Patricia Delinois; Ken Gorin, owner of THE COLLECTION; Evelyn Lozada and Suzanne Ketcham of VH1’s hot reality show Basketball Wives; former banker-turned-professor and Star Jones’ ex-husband Al Reynolds; Robert Press of Trafalgar Capital Advisors; Founding Benefactor Barbara Glicken; nightlife impresario Michael Capponi; restaurateur Fabian Basabe and his wife Martina Borgomanero; luxury handbag designer Laura Buccellati; author and scholar Dr. José Azel; Ed Freedman; and socialite Merle Weiss. Guests also enjoyed musical entertainment by celebrity DJ Irie, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and an elegant spread of buffet and passed canapés, including a Kobe beef carving station, made-to-order risotto and Asian-inspired fare.

|Share

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

(CLICK TO VIEW ENHANCED IMAGES by Manny Hernandez for MHPIXS.com)
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.

DOWNLOAD NATALIE COLE'S "Unforgetable"


(CLICK TO VIEW ENHANCED IMAGES by Manny Hernandez for MHPIXS.com)
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.

(CLICK TO VIEW ENHANCED IMAGES by Manny Hernandez for MHPIXS.com)

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.

(CLICK TO VIEW ENHANCED IMAGES by Manny Hernandez for MHPIXS.com)
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.

(CLICK TO VIEW ENHANCED IMAGES by Manny Hernandez for MHPIXS.com)
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.