May 2010

Al & Nancy Malnik’s Shower of Wishes

On April 18, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida held the 2010 InterContinental Miami “Make-A-Wish Ball Garden Party,” a private cocktail reception for South Florida’s leading philanthropists and alike. Hosted by lifetime benefactors Al and Nancy Malnik at their private oceanfront estate in Ocean Ridge, the intimate gathering was the first event of the year in honor of the highly anticipated annual ball, to be held November 6.

“I am extremely moved by the support we received on this very special day,” said Shareef Malnik, chairperson of the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball. “It clearly shows that the Ball and its cause have one of the most loyal followings, and for this I am extremely grateful. I would also like to thank my father Al and his lovely wife Nancy for putting on this beautiful event each year, which honors those generous individuals who help make wishes come true.”

Guests at the Garden Party included President/CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida, Norman Wedderburn; Ball chairman and proprietor of one of Miami’s best restaurants The Forge, Shareef Malnik; and gala host and general manager of InterContinental Miami, Robert Hill. Special guests included legendary boxing promoter Don King, Burn Notice actress Gabrielle Anwar, and designer Rene Ruiz. Guests enjoyed ‘Rising Suns,’ a specialty cocktail designed by The Forge Restaurant and Wine Bar’s mixologist; hors d’oeuvres; beats by DJ Joe Dert and a performance by Japanese Taiko drummers Fushu Daiko.

The Garden Party was first event of the year in honor of the upcoming 16th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball. This year’s Ball will mark the 27th anniversary of The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida. Last year’s Ball raised more than $1 million and granted 200 wishes, more than 40 percent of all the wishes the chapter granted last year.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida grants the wishes of children who have life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Covering a 13-county territory of Southern Florida, the chapter’s goal is to grant more than 525 wishes in 2010. For more information, call 888-773-WISH or visit http://www.sfla.wish.org.