18th Annual Make-A-Wish Ball

Photography by Nathan Valentine on November 7th, 2012 in Celebrity, Charities & Galas

Miami, FL – November 3, 2012 – On Saturday, Make-A-Wish Southern Florida and InterContinental Miami celebrated the 18th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball with a theme inspired by India’s vibrant colors, animated street markets, opulent soirees and jubilant Bollywood music. Melanie Amaro, first season winner of The X Factor and South Florida native, performed, and Burn Notice star Gabrielle Anwar, returned as the celebrity auctioneer for the Ball, which was chaired by Shareef Malnik, owner of The Forge Restaurant l Wine Bar. In its 17-year history, the Ball has raised more than $10.7 million, enough to grant wishes for more than 2,300 children with life-threatening medical conditions.

The Ball’s leaders – affectionately known as the “Three Amigos” – Malnik, also Foundation Board Member; Robert Hill, InterContinental Miami General Manager and Gala Host; and Norman Wedderburn, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida; have together made each Ball an impactful, memorable occasion.

Celebrity auctioneer Gabrielle Anwar returned to the podium to spark a bidding war for an extravagant array of live auction items, including a magnificent prize generously donated by Mark and Robin Levinson of Levinson Jewelers: an ultra-rare Hermès “Cape Cod” diamond-and-ruby watch valued at $33,450. The starlet also tempted the audience with a walk-on roll on her hit USA Network show, Burn Notice, filmed on-site in Miami, and other sought-after auction items donated by THE COLLECTION, The World – Residences at Sea and Ocean Drive Magazine.

For the fifth consecutive year, Nightclub Vice Chairman Michael Capponi of The Capponi Group spearheaded the official Ball after-party at the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Nightclub, introducing Make-A-Wish Southern Florida to the next generation of contributors. The after party came to life with a fashion show by Traver Rains, who debuted his Bollywood-inspired Spring/Summer 2013 Collection. The InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Nightclub served as the perfect backdrop for Rains, who incorporated Indian fabrics and accessories in what was a spectacular ode to all things Bollywood.