17th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball

The Unique Event Benefitted the Florida Heart Research Institute

The InterContinental Miami hosted one 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 and 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, and 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 children with life-threatening illnesses in South Florida,” said Ball Host and 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 we are only in the

first year of the Challenge, we have already received eight commitments for endowments to underwrite the cost of the Ball for the next five years. It is with these new fundraising missives, and more importantly the unwavering support of our very generous donors, that we will be able to take the Ball and 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 modern take on “The Party of the Century,” in homage to Truman Capote’s A-list-only vanity affair at New York’s Plaza Hotel. Upon arrival, masked guests were welcomed by living chandeliers with elaborate crystal headpieces that were functional light fixtures and living stanchions led guests to the white carpet. Upstairs on the mezzanine, warriors handed guests beverages from behind interactive gallery bars, and psychedelic black and 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 and Nancy Malnik; Grand Benefactors Stanley and Gala Cohen; Founding Benefactors Howard and Barbara Glicken; and Wish Star Benefactor James L. Ferraro, as well as Wish Benefactors Harvey and Roberta Chaplin, Stuart A. Miller of Lennar Corporation and Robert Press of Trafalgar Capital Advisors.

“This year’s Ball was a dream come true,” Said Norman Wedderburn, President and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Florida. “Joan Jett gave a performance of a lifetime, Gabrielle Anwar put her heart and soul into raising funds during the live auction, and our supporters never seemed more excited and optimistic. All of these elements combined contributed to the incredible achievement of our lifetime fundraising milestone, which we far surpassed.”