December 2011
Al Malnik and company raise 1.1 million dollars for 220 wishes of babies with life-threatening illnesses in South Florida
The InterContinental Miami hosted of South Florida’s premier galas to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida – The 17th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball. The evening’s theme was Truman Capote’s legendary Black & White Ball of 1966. With a performance by rock-n-roll legend Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, an action-packed live auction emceed by Burn Notice star Gabrielle Anwar, the fourth anniversary of the InterContinental Make-A-Wish Night club, & the achievement of a $10 million lifetime fundraising milestone, the affair was a smashing success.
‘We are happy to announce that the 2011 edition of the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball netted in excess of $1.1 million dollars to grant 220 wishes of babies with life-threatening illnesses in South Florida,’ said Ball Host & Intercontinental Miami GM Robert Hill.
Recently appointed to the Foundation’s Board, Ball Chairman Shareef Malnik introduced his newest endeavor, the Chairman’s Challenge. ‘I’m thrilled to announce that while they are only in the first year of the Challenge, they have already received eight commitments for endowments to underwrite the cost of the Ball for the next years. It is with these new fundraising missives, & more importantly the unwavering support of our generous donors, that they will be able to take the Ball & its fundraising initiatives to the next level,’ said Malnik.
Deco Productions took the Ball’s historically over-the-top décor to an entirely new level of extravagance with a contemporary take on ‘The Party of the Century,’ in homage to Truman Capote’s A-list-only vanity affair at New York’s Plaza Hotel. On arrival, masked guests were welcomed by living chandeliers with elaborate crystal headpieces that were functional lighting fixtures & living stanchions led guests to the white carpet. Upstairs on the mezzanine, warriors handed guests drinks from behind interactive gallery bars, & psychedelic black & white art installations were brought to life by camouflaged performers, igniting guests’ senses with a feeling of mystery.
Honored at this year’s event were Lifetime Benefactors Al & Nancy Malnik; Grand Benefactors Stanley & Gala Cohen; Founding Benefactors Howard & Barbara Glicken; & Wish Star Benefactor James L. Ferraro, as well as Wish Benefactors Harvey & Roberta Chaplin, Stuart A. Miller of Lennar Corporation & Robert Press of Trafalgar Capital Advisors.
‘This year’s Ball was a dream come true,’ Said Norman Wedderburn, President & CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Florida. ‘Joan Jett gave a performance of a lifetime, Gabrielle Anwar put her heart & soul in to raising funds in the coursework of the live auction, & our supporters seldom appeared more excited & optimistic. All of these elements combined contributed to the amazing achievement of our lifetime fundraising milestone, which they far surpassed.’