Community raises record funds to grant wishes for local kids at The Wish Ball
March 3, 2020
On February 22, 2020, Make-A-Wish® South Carolina hosted their seventh annual Wish Ball presented by TrueScripts® and together with 350 attendees celebrated trips that transform – wishes that have taken flight and changed lives around world. Event sponsors and guests together raised a record of more than $285,000 to grant the wishes of local children battling critical illnesses.
Held at the University of South Carolina Alumni Center, the evening offered guests a cocktail reception where they enjoyed interacting with wish ambassadors representing wishes that have taken wish families to Europe, The Islands, Africa and The Americas. Guests also enjoyed bidding on premiere silent auction items during the reception.
More than a gala, this dynamic show offered remarkable stories about the life-changing impact wishes have. Led by special guest co-emcees, Manny Forde, a wish ambassador himself, and Carter Mello of WCSC and a wish granter volunteer, the crowd was taken on a journey highlighting the long-lasting effects of wishes that took place in Los Angeles, Paris, and even Hawaii.
With more than 70% of wishes requiring travel, guests learned the impactful ways lives are powerfully altered by a wish trip through virtual and live presentations. In a deeply moving keynote address, Doug Carroll, a wish dad, spoke to the crowd of the transformational effect his family experienced after vacationing for the very first time thanks to his son’s wish.
The highlights of the evening were the on-stage live reveal of 10-year-old Kymari’s wish and Cole’s feature story. Kymari learned on-stage that his wish to go on a Walt Disney Cruise® is coming true. Make-A-Wish, together with our supporters, looks forward to granting his wish, so that Kymari will gain independence and find joy in new adventures. Cole, son of Doug Carroll, enchanted the crowd with his effervescent personality. He was joined by his dad, mom and brother to share personal messages with the guests about their belief in the power of wishes. The big moment of the night came when attendees witnessed Cole being surprised with a special video message from actor Sheldon Bailey. Bailey’s message to Cole to keep fighting and believing in his wish, resonated throughout the crowd.
Throughout the evening, Wish Ball guests also enjoyed a gourmet dinner by Southern Way Catering and took part in an energetic live auction. The auction offered guests the chance to bid on amazing items from getaway weekends to a filming experience with the hit television show Live PD generously donated by the Richland County Sherriff’s Department. As the show concluded guests danced the night away to the sounds of GroovCity Entertainment.
“We can’t express enough how grateful we are to our generous benefactors, and to all who donate their time, money and heart to make this event a success. Wishes do not happen overnight. Each wish requires an incredible amount of creativity, time and generosity. At Wish Ball our guests helped many kids get one step closer to experiencing the power behind a wish-come-true.” said Misty Farmer, Make-A-Wish South Carolina President and CEO.
Major event sponsors included: TrueScripts Management Services, Trusted Choice, Convergent Technologies, Aflac, AssuredPartners, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar, Emedia Group, Macy’s, Publix Super Markets Charities, Shakespeare, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Mark your calendars for next year’s event on February 20, 2021. To secure an early sponsorship, contact Mary Silverberg at [email protected] or 843.817.4251. For more information about Make-A-Wish visit sc.wish.org or to donate airline visit sc.wish.org/miles.
