The 17^th annual Miami Make-A-Wish Ball, often called the “party of the century,” raised $1.1 million dollars for the organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions, in an effort to enrich and improve their quality of life. The evening was star-studded, with actress Gabrielle Anwar of Burn Notice emceeing a live auction and legendary musician Joan Jett taking the stage for an outstanding performance. The live auction included over-the-top items such as a 2012 McLaren MP4-12C, a Bogosse Lifestyle travel package that includes private travel from Miami to the Dominican Republic and VIP ground transportation, and a “James Bond 007 experience.”

“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.” –Norman Wedderburn, President and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida

Norman Wedderburn, along with Shareef Malnik and Robert Hill are the trio who made this year’s Make-A-Wish Miami blowout possible. Robert Hill, the General Manager for the Intercontinental Hotel said “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.   The impact of granting wishes to Wish Kids and their families is life changing and simply cannot be measured by a number, each story is different but the hope and joy we are able to create is and will continue to be the driving force behind the effort of all of us involved.”

Nearly one thousand A-list VIPs, socialites, philanthropists and celebrities attended the Make-A-Wish Ball, including: Sammy and Sonya Sosa, Elsa Benitez, Andre Dawson, Chris Nirschel Al and Nancy Malnik, Jim Ferraro, Ken Gorin, Laurence Geller, Andy Hilfiger, Sanford Ziff, Roy and Lea Black, Carlos A. Gimenez, Lance Parker, Greg Lotus, Donald and Lisa Pliner, Fernando Wong, Ema Koja and more.

Photo Credit: Seth Browarnik/WorldRedEye.com

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