In a town as glamourous as Miami, there is no shortage of can't-miss events on the social scene. For the last 20 years, one of those has been the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball, and this year's edition promises to be no different.
This year's event takes place on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the InterContinental Miami (100 Chopin Plaza), beginning with a cocktail reception and silent auction at 7 p.m., and the program beginning at 8:30. The theme this year is Mythology.
In its 20-year history, the Ball has raised more than $16.8 million, enough to grant the heartfelt wishes of more than 3,520 children with critical illnesses. This premier event features dinner, drinks, dancing and the chance to bid on fantasy items and experiences in the famed live and silent suctions.
Actress Gabrielle Anwar serves as the celebrity emcee and host for the evening. Over the years, celebrity guests have included Diana Ross, Paula Abdul, Sharon Stone, Wayne Newton, Pamela Anderson, Mike Piazza, Scottie Pippen, Richie Rich, Christian Slater, Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons, Don King, Venus and Serena Williams, Kim Kardashian, plus many more. This year's entertainer will be announced soon.
Shareef Malnik, Miami restaurateur, is the gala chairman for the 11th time, and has helped lead the impressive fundraising efforts of the event. Malnik has been inspired to be involved with the organization after his younger brother who was diagnosed with leukemia was granted a wish.
To purchase tickets e-mail Wendy Trouba, or call her at 954-967-9474, ext. 304.
Not Ready To Go Home? Head To The After Party
Not ready to head home or up to your room when the Wish Ball ends? Make-A-Wish Southern Florida has you covered. The InterContinental Miami and Make-A-Wish Southern Florida invite the next generation of contributors and Miami's premier buzz creators in the fashion, arts, music and nightlife industries to the 8th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Starlight Nightclub. Join Gabrielle Anwar, Shareef Malnik and more at this after-hours venue inspired by a mythology-themed culture. The nightclub includes DJ Chuckie, a fashion show and open bar.
Tickets for the nightclub are $100 each. Call at 954-967-9474 ext. 312 to purchase tickets or get more information.
Help Grant Wishes Even If You Can't Attend
Even though the Make-A-Wish InterContinental Wish Ball and Starlight Nightclub will be a magical evening for everyone who attends, it also benefits local kids with critical illnesses and helps to grant their wishes.
If you cannot attend the Wish Ball, you may consider helping out in other ways. Maybe you will make a general donation to Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, or perhaps you will choose to donate a car and put it to better use. To donate a vehicle to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, just call us at [chapter_phone] or fill out our online donation form.
When you donate a car, you will receive free pick up or towing of your vehicle anywhere in Southern Florida, while helping kids in Naples, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Miami Gardens, Cape Coral and more. Plus, you get a great tax deduction, and you will be helping to grant wishes for local kids. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Cars can be a major pain. Filling the gas tank, paying for insurance, tabs, repairs, oil changes, new tires, and other expenses quickly add up. Plus, dealing with traffic, bad weather, flat tires, and other obstacles on the road all take up so much extra time. Imagine how much time you could save if you decided to ditch your car permanently, or even half of the time. If you live in an area where public transportation, biking, walking, or carpooling is readily available, ditch your car for at least a day and take part in World Car Free Day on Sept. 22.
If you're looking for a fun way to help out a great cause this October, why not come out to one of two events benefiting Make-A-Wish Southern Florida? You can cheer on a soccer team at Kick It for Wishes on Oct. 10, or grab your clubs for the Key To Wishes Golf Tournament Oct. 18. Both events are fun all on their own, but have the added benefit of helping Make-A-Wish Southern Florida grant more wishes.
This October, there are three fun events for you to participate in that will support Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Northern Delaware, and Susquehanna Valley. Serving 10 counties within southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware, Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Northern Delaware, and Susquehanna Valley granted 275 wishes during the 2014 year. This year they hope to grant even more wishes, and your support can help to make this possible.
Whether your idea of fun is relaxing with your friends and enjoying a glass of wine, or you’d rather be out running and competing in a race, Make-A-Wish Illinois has you covered. Their Comparative Wine Tasting event may be for you, or maybe you’d rather run in the Bank of American Chicago Marathon. Whichever event you choose, you will be helping to make wishes come true for kids in Illinois!
Charity comes in different shapes and sizes. Whether volunteering your time or donating money or goods, charity can make a world of difference for people. That's why the United Nations designated Sept. 5 as the International Day of Charity.
"Charity plays a significant role in the work of the United Nations and its agencies. On this International Day, I call on people everywhere to act on the charitable impulse that resides in every human being -- to start giving and to keep on giving," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in last year's International Day of Charity message.
Sept. 5 was chosen by the UN in honor of Mother Teresa of Calcutta who passed away on Sept. 5, 1997. Mother Teresa was renowned for her work as a nun and missionary who devoted herself to helping the poor, sick, orphaned and dying for more than 45 years. She began her works in India and then expanded the order she founded, the Missionaries of Charity of Calcutta, to other countries.
On International Day of Charity, the UN invites its members, all international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations and individuals, to commemorate the day in an appropriate manner, by encouraging charity, through education and public awareness-raising activities.
How Can I Get Involved?
Many people have non-profits that they are involved with or regularly donate money to. But there are also lots of acts of volunteering that you can take part in to celebrate International Day of Charity. If volunteering is what fits more into your budget, consider these options:
- The faith community in your area is always looking for people to get involved. Synagogues, churches and other local social service providers almost always have a need for volunteers to help plan or run programs or – if you have more time to give – serve on boards or committees.
- Enjoy animals? Most cities have animal shelters that need volunteers to help with walking dogs or feeding animals, to name a few of the chores.
- Know a senior who needs help? Seniors may need help with things like minor work around the house, grocery shopping, or simply having someone to have a cup of coffee with to keep them company.
Donate Your Car On International Day Of Charity
Charity car donation is easy and beneficial, and when you donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, it will help benefit your local Make-A-Wish chapter. Not only will you help to grant the wish of a child in your community, but you also get a great tax deduction for your kind efforts!
We try to make the donation process as hassle-free as possible so your vehicle can be on its way to helping wishes come true. All you need to do to donate a car is follow these three steps:
- Give us a call at [chapter_phone] or take a moment to fill out our online car donation form. Our donation representatives will take care of all the paperwork for you and will be available to help with any questions you may have.
- Next, we'll call to schedule your free vehicle pick-up or tow. All you need to do is clean out your personal items from the vehicle. Don't worry about repairing or washing the vehicle first.
- Finally, wait for your tax-deductible receipt to arrive in the mail. Save this receipt to use for your tax deduction during tax time.
No matter what you are giving to an organization, it should go to a cause you can trust. If you have any suggestions for ways to celebrate International Day of Charity, Please share them with us in the comments or on our Facebook, Twitter or Google+ pages!
Taking place on Saturday, Oct. 3, is the SYNNEX Share the Magic Evening Gala, benefiting local children’s charities such as Make-A-Wish South Carolina. The wish-filled event will be held at the TD Convention Center in Greenville, and will held to bring together partners, customers, and the Upstate community to raise money for four local children’s charities in South Carolina.
Fans of golf have a great opportunity to come out and support Make-A-Wish Suffolk County this September. The annual Gail Bigler Memorial Golf Outing takes place Sept. 17 at the Huntington Crescent Club (15 Washington Drive) in Huntington. Activities will fill the day from morning until evening, and all of it will support the great work being done by Make-A-Wish Suffolk County.
This September, lace up your favorite running shoes and get ready for two great Walk For Wishes events benefiting Make-A-Wish Wisconsin. Don’t miss the Appleton Walk For Wishes event taking place on Sept. 12, and the Madison Walk For Wishes event taking place on Sept. 20. Both events are great forms of exercise for the entire family and they help to celebrate Make-A-Wish Wisconsin!
Whether you live in Vermont, Washington or anywhere in between, September offers you a great opportunity to help grant wishes all over the country. There are several Walks for Wishes in September all over the country that will help benefit your local Make-A-Wish chapter. When you take part, you can help a child with a critical illness.
Walk For Wishes West Michigan
The 2015 Walk for Wishes – West Michigan is taking place Sept. 12 at the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids. This fun 1.5-mile walk through the zoo will feature fun activities and food for the participants, as walkers help grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. There is no registration fee to attend the event, and each walk participant is encouraged to raise a minimum on $100.
Registration on-site starts at 7 a.m., the opening ceremony is at 9 a.m. and the walk stats at 9:30. Perks of participating include: Morning refreshments, complimentary lunch following the walk, family-fun entertainment and activities, full access to the John Ball Zoo until 5 p.m., and of course the joy of helping make children's wishes come true. Register today on the event's website.
Vermont Walk For Wishes
Gather friends and families at the beautiful Shelburne Museum (6000 Shelburne Road) in Shelburne on Sept. 13 for the Vermont Walk for Wishes. Get your friends, family, and colleagues to join you and invest in the Make-A-Wish mission. Online registration is $35 for families, $15 for adults, $10 for children aged 12-17, $5 for children 6-11. Kids 5 and under are free. With your registration fee enjoy unlimited access for the day to the Shelburne Museum, a picnic lunch, a commemorative Walk for Wishes t-shirt and all Walk for Wishes activities. For more information, contact Jerica Dziki at 802-585-1009.
Washington Walk For Wishes
The Make-A-Wish Alaska & Washington Walk for Wishes will again be held at Marymoor Park in Redmond (6046 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE). When you take part, you can take the first step in making wishes come true for local children battling critical illnesses by joining us at this year’s family-friendly 5K walk and fun run on Sunday, Sept. 13. This includes snacks, kids’ activities, wish inspiration and entertainment with your family and friends. For more information call 800-304-9474.
Walk For Wishes North Jersey
Liberty State Park in Jersey City (76 Audrey Zapp Dr.) hosts the North Jersey Walk for Wishes event on Saturday, Sept. 26. The 5K runners can take part in the USA Track and Field-certified and sanctioned course that winds through the park and onto the promenade that overlooks the Statue of Liberty. Awards are given to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for Overall Male & Female and Top Male & Female in the following age categories: 14 & Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and older.
Registration for the 5K run event is $25 for adults before Sept. 25, or $35 the day of the event. Teens or kids running the 5K are $10 each. Walkers 18 and older are $25 and walkers between 5 and 17 years old are $10 each. T-shirts are available for all pre-registered runners and walkers, and t-shirts will be available for day-of registrants on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, contact Danielle Nalbone at 800-252-9474.
Eastern North Carolina Walk For Wishes
Wrightsville Beach Park (1 Bob Sawyer Drive) in Wrightsville Beach, N.C., will host the Eastern North Carolina Walk for Wishes 5K on Sunday, Sept. 27. Day-of event registration and check-in begins at noon with the walk starting at 2 p.m. All participants are asked to arrive between 12 and 1:30 pm. Local children who have either received their wishes or are currently having their wishes scheduled will be recognized during a ceremony beginning at 1:30 pm. Registration is underway at the event website. For additional information regarding the Walk for Wishes, e-mail Janis Netherland at jnetherland@eastnc.wish.org, or you can call her at (910) 399-1375.
Help Make-A-Wish, Even If You Can't Make A Walk
If you don't live near one of these Walks for Wishes but still want to help children in places like Oakland, Miami, Syracuse, Salt Lake City, or almost any other city, we have a way that is a win-win. Wheels for Wishes is a car donation charity that benefits Make-A-Wish chapters around the county. If you have an unwanted vehicle taking up space in your driveway or garage, please donate it to Wheels for Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish. Your car donation will be transformed into a magical wish for a child, and you can truly feel great about that.
To donate a vehicle, please call [chapter_phone] or fill out our online donation form. You can also find the Make-A-Wish chapter that Wheels for Wishes supports nearest you. Car donation is easy; even if you aren’t sure how to donate a car, our experienced car donation representatives will walk you through the process and answer any questions you might have. We will pick-up or tow away your vehicle at no cost to you in almost any city in the country. Your car can be out of your garage and on its way to making a difference in the life a Wish Kid. Make the call today!
Make-A-Wish Central New York has two fun events coming up on Sept. 12. If you live near Utica or East Syracuse, you won't want to miss the I 90 Cruisin' Car Show or the Sugarman Law Firm Wish Ball. Both events help to raise money for Make-A-Wish Central New York and help to grant wishes for kids in your community.
The long, warm days of August are perfect for walks and car shows. If you've been meaning to get outside and enjoy the last few weeks of summer, you have two opportunities to do so while also helping Make-A-Wish Northeast New York. The 24th Annual Dealer Day Car Show is Aug. 22 and the annual Walk For Wishes is Aug. 29. Both events will raise funds for Make-A-Wish Northeast New York.
The 16th Annual Twilight Walk For Wishes benefiting Make-A-Wish Northeastern California and Northern Nevada takes place Aug. 15 in Sacramento. Take part in this great event to help grant more wishes for kids in the area who are facing critical illnesses. Make-A-Wish Northeastern California and Northern Nevada has granted more than 5,000 wishes since 1983, and Walk For Wishes is a wonderful way to help them reach even more children this year.
If you like to golf, the Target Corporation Charity Golf Tournament benefiting Make-A-Wish North Dakota is for you. Taking place on Friday, Aug. 1, participants can golf in teams of four to help grant the wishes of kids living in Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks. Register or become an event sponsor to help make wishes come true for kids in your community.
There's nothing like a long walk on a mid-summer's morning afternoon. But what if you could do that and raise money for a great cause? That's exactly what the Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area Walk For Wishes aims to do. And there are two opportunities to get involved for this fabulous cause!
The first event is the East Bay Walk For Wishes at St. Mary's College in Moraga on Saturday, August 8, with the Walk For Wishes South Bay on Saturday, August 22 at Google's Mountain View campus. Participation in the walks is free, but fundraising is encouraged. The goal of the walks is to be able to grant 36 wishes.
A Morning Full Of Fun
Walk day includes food and entertainment, with a focus on wish-granting and Make-A-Wish wish children. On each walk day from 8-9 a.m. there is registration, breakfast and pre-walk entertainment. The walks begin at 9 a.m. with food and more entertainment available at the finish line from 10-11 a.m. You can also bring your own food for a post-walk picnic. Click here to learn more about the walks, and you can pick which event you want to sign up for – or sign up for both.
Raise Money, Win Prizes
The most important part of the walks is to help raise valuable funds for Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area. The more you raise, the more prizes you'll be eligible to win. Raising more than $100 gets you an official Walk For Wishes 2015 t-shirt. If you raise more than $250, you get a t-shirt and Make-A-Wish tumbler.
Raising more than $500 gets you into the Power Walker Club, which gets you a t-shirt, tumbler, Make-A-Wish logo sunglasses, a special Power Walker button to wear on event day, and listing in the Walk For Wishes Hall of Fame for a year on www.walkforwishesbayarea.org. Click here to learn more about the incentives for individuals and teams.
Share Your Donation To Inspire Others
Studies show that people who make a donation to their own fundraising efforts ultimately raise more in donations from other people than those who don't. Making a personal donation is a great way to show your network that Make-A-Wish isn't something you're just asking them to support, but that you're a supporter too! Once you've made your self-donation, don't forget to share it on Facebook and Twitter for all to see!
Help Make-A-Wish Even If You Can't Attend
You can still help to grant wishes for a local kid in your community even if you can't attend this wonderful Make-A-Wish event. Consider making a car donation to Wheels For Wishes benefiting Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area.
Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area grants the wishes of kids living in San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Rosa, Oakland, and Fremont. When a child has their greatest wish granted, they are given the chance to feel like a celebrity for a day, but it also gives them the hope and strength that they need to get through the difficulties that they are faced with.
Wheels For Wishes accepts vehicles in any condition so Make-A-Wish can continue to grant wishes for local kids in your community. Donate a car, truck, SUV, RV, motorcycle, or boat, and help turn your unwanted vehicle into a wish come true.
To donate a vehicle to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish, please call [chapter_phone] or fill out our easy vehicle donation form. You won't regret it.
Summer is just starting to pick up, which means trips to the lake are picking up as well. Hopefully you've got a shiny new boat at your dock. If your boat isn't so new and this will be the last season you'll be using it, you're probably looking at options for trading up to a bigger or better boat. If that’s your plan, there’s a much easier solution to selling or trading in a boat that you could get little-to-no money.
After investing time and energy into listing a boat and showing it off to potential buyers, it’s a huge disappointment when you are unable to sell it for the price you were hoping for. This can all change with boat donation.
Donate A Boat To Charity And Get A Tax Deduction
Instead of selling or trading in a boat, consider donating it to Wheels For Wishes benefiting Make-A-Wish. Wheels For Wishes is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and we can help turn your boat, old or new, into a wish for a local child in your area. Your boat will help grant a wish for a local child and also get you a great tax deduction, which could help you buy yourself a new boat in time for next spring.
When you think of donations, you tend to think that you’re giving something away but not getting much in return. When you donate a boat and trailer to charity, you are also getting a great tax deduction at tax time. Your 2015 tax deduction could go toward the purchase of a new boat and could be parked at your house just in time to take out next season.
We Take Boats In Almost Any Condition
We are happy to accept all different types of vehicles, whether they are cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, motorcycles, Jet Skis, or boats – as long as it has a trailer. Along with getting you the most out of your donation, our goal is to help your local Make-A-Wish chapter.
If you have questions regarding your boat donation, do not hesitate to give us a call and we will answer all of your questions! You can also check out our donation guide to find everything you need to know about donating a boat, car, truck, SUV, RV, or motorcycle.
Turn Your Old Boat Into New
Your used boat can easily be transformed into so much more when it’s donated to Wheels For Wishes. Not only does it save you time, money, and stress, but it also gets you a great tax deduction and helps grant wishes for a local child in your area. Sure, your boat can help purchase a new boat for yourself, but most importantly, you will feel great knowing that your boat helped to grant wishes for a local child. We make the most out of each and every donation. Even if you think your boat isn’t worth much, it can mean the world to a child.
If donated boats cannot be auctioned off to new owners, they are recycled and reused to build new boats, so you are also contributing to the green movement and helping to create jobs. Your old boat can become so much more!
When you are ready to donate your boat, please call us at [chapter_phone] or fill out our boat donation form. You will not regret donating your boat to a reputable and well-known charity that benefits your local Make-A-Wish chapter.
On July 25, you won't want to miss the annual Oyster race taking place in downtown Denver. This urban adventure race features a new secret course each year, making it a fresh challenge each time. Whether you're on your own or with a team of friends, you'll have a blast biking, running, and walking through the city completing a series of obstacles, puzzles, and other challenges. Best of all, the event benefits Make-A-Wish Colorado and helps them grant more wishes for local kids. Register today to claim your spot!
This summer, there are a few great opportunities to benefit Make-A-Wish Illinois. If you have an unwanted vehicle that you no longer want or need, vehicle donation might be the perfect opportunity for you to help Make-A-Wish Illinois. Not only is vehicle donation green and eco-friendly, but it also helps to fund wishes for kids living in areas like Chicago, Springfield, Peoria, Joliet, Rockford, East Saint Louis, and Aurora. Vehicle donation also gets you a great tax deduction, plus free pick up or towing of your vehicle.
Are you looking for ways to benefit Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana this summer? If you are, we have plenty of opportunities for you to help make wishes come true for kids in areas like Akron, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, Louisville and Lexington. You can donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish, or participate in one of three upcoming Walk For Wishes events taking place in Columbus, Indianapolis, and Cleveland.
June 21 is officially the first day of summer, and car repairs are the last thing you want to deal with when the sun is shining and the temperatures are rising. With many fun summer events right around the corner, you’ll want a reliable vehicle to get you around on the days where you can’t walk or bike to your destination. If you’re ready to upgrade your vehicle to a newer make or model, consider donating a car to our vehicle donation charity, Wheels For Wishes.
