July 2011

12th Annual InterContinental Make-A-Wish Ball Delivers Sensational Society Turnout – Al Malnik ARCHIVE RECAP

Grammy Award Winner Macy Gray and wacky Comedian Pauly Shore Took to the Stage to Help Raise over $675,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida.

A spectacular Winter Wonderland came to life at the 12th Annual InterContinental Make-A-Wish Ball on Saturday, November 4th. Featuring an over-the-top performance by the ever smooth Macy Gray and special guest emcee Pauly Shore, the gala raised more than $675,000, enough for the Make-A Wish Foundation of Southern Florida to grant 135 wishes.

Gala Chairman, Shareef Malnik, greeted guests as they walked the red carpet into a winter themed cocktail hour. Sipping drinks courtesy of Southern Wine & Spirits, guests browsed the silent auction and savored the sumptuous display of appetizers created by Chef Alexander Feher. One of Holland’s most notable performers, Nanine Linning, a/k/a The Champagne Lady, dazzled the crowd as she welcomed everyone to dinner while hanging from a chandelier and pouring Perrier Jouët for each amazed onlooker.

Fantastic snow machines dusted the ballroom with an icy flurry as DJ Irie of the Miami Heat played a stellar set of explosive sounds that beckoned guests to hit the dance floor. At every seat in the room, a tin of caviar on ice was waiting, and as guests took their seats at the premium tables, personal butlers were on hand to service their every need. Following dinner, the famous Make-A-Wish Live Auction commenced with the acclaimed Red Barron at the helm and comedian Pauly Shore working the room to help bring home the winning bids.

Featured auction items included a $20,000 gift certificate donated by jewelry designer extraordinaire, Georg Jensen, a $20,000 gift certificate courtesy of local couture designer Rene Ruiz whose gowns adorned some of the most beautiful women in the room, and a 2006 Lotus Elise courtesy of THE COLLECTION. To top off the auction, James Ferraro, a generous benefactor of Make-A-Wish, got the audience excited when he pledged $100,000 to the foundation, equivalent to 20 wishes and challenged the room to match his donation which they surpassed with a gift of 37 wishes.

Attendees included: Macy Gray; Pauly Shore; Latin pop star Ana Cristina; DJ Irie; Jack Miller, InterContinental Miami General Manager; Norm Wedderburn, CEO Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida; Randy Friedlander, Make-A-Wish Foundation Chairman of the Board; Al & Nancy Malnik, Lifetime Benefactors; Howard & Barbara Glicken, Founding Benefactors; Jacob the Jeweler; Craig Robins & Ambra Medda; Jim Ferraro; Jerry & Sandi Powers; Ken Gorin; Lee Schrager; Michael Capponi; Jeffrey & Linda Chodorow; Cynthia Carr; Veronica Cervera; Antonio Misuraca; State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle; Claudia & Alan Potamkin; Loren & J.R. Ridinger; Kamal Hotchandani; Cecile Barker; Edie Lacquer; Roy & Leah Black; Peter Loftin; Thomas Kramer; Alan & Diane Lieberman; Elaine Lancaster; Mark Lenkhul; Jorge & Darlene Perez; Michael Dreiling; and Nicole Rifkind.

Since the beginning of the InterContinental Make-A-Wish Ball twelve years ago, more than 4.7 million dollars has been raised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida in order to grant the wishes of 1,235 children with life-threatening medical conditions. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida, please call 954.967.9474, or visit www.sfla.wish.org.