Make-A-Wish Connecticut Raises over $550,000 at Annual Celebrating Wishes Ball

Make-A-Wish Connecticut celebrated 30 years of wishes come true at their annual Celebrating Wishes Ball on Saturday, November 5th. The annual dinner, dance and auction raised over $550,000 this year, which will go towards granting the wishes of Connecticut children with life-threatening medical conditions

The annual event took place at the Greenwich Country Club and was a night full of inspiration, fun, and helping more wishes come true. In their 30 years of existence, Make-A-Wish Connecticut has granted over 2,700 wishes for local children.

John Crowley, a Wish Dad, former National Board Chair and the inspiration for the film Extraordinary Measures, was the special guest of the event and began the evening’s program with a moving speech about his family’s journey and the impact of a wish. . Following his speech, Pam Keough, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Connecticut thanked everyone for coming and helping the event be so successful.

Event emcees Michael Kay of the YES Network and Jodi Applegate introduced nearly a dozen Wish Kids to the 400 guests in attendance. The “Wish Ambassadors” had their wishes granted over the past year and joined guests to share their unique stories throughout the evening.

Two particular Wish Kids were honored at the 30th Anniversary celebration this year: 6-year-old Quinn, who wished to go to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, and 10-year-old Connor, who wished to go on a Mediterranean cruise. Quinn and Connor shared their stories of how their wishes gave them hope, strength and joy to continue to fight their conditions.

The annual event would not be possible without its incredible sponsors and partners. The event’s co-chairs Brooke and Nicholas Bohnsack, Gina and John Filippelli, Sharon and David Platter and Julie and John Rivard served as leaders of a team of volunteers which resulted in a magnificent night of wishes come true.

A special thank you also goes to the members honorary event committee: Jodi Applegate, David Cone, Jack Curry, John Flaherty, Michael Kay, Bob Lorenz and Meredith Marakovits.

The Celebrating Wishes Ball was proudly sponsored by Cindy and Rob Citrone, Patricia and Ron Napoli. YES Network, Nestle Waters, WWE, ENCOMPASS, 2(X)ist, Serendipity, HY’s Limousine and Holland & Night.

About Make-A-Wish® Connecticut
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Connecticut grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Wish-come-true experiences can do wonders by providing a much-needed break from lengthy hospital stays and medical treatments. They give back to a child what a serious medical condition can take away—the chance to simply enjoy being a kid. Wish kids choose something that will inspire happiness, and allow them to spend precious time with their families. The Connecticut chapter has made over 2,700 wishes come true since its inception in 1986. Learn more about Connecticut wishes at ct.wish.org, or join Make-A-Wish on Facebook (search Make-A-Wish Connecticut) and follow them on Twitter and Instagram (@MakeAWishCT).

PHOTOS

0465 – Committee Chairs Sharon Platter, Brooke Bohnsack, Gina Filippelli and Julie Rivard

0551 – Guest Speaker, Wish Dad & Inspiration for Extraordinary Measures John Crowley

0619 – Honored Wish Recipients Quinn Ostergren & Connor O’Neill

0737 – Masters of Ceremonies Michael Kay & Jodi Applegate