Heels & Wheels Event Raises $15,000 For Charity

The first annual Wickford Heels & Wheels event wasn't just a success because of the swarms of people who took part in the two-day affair. The numbers are in and the event netted $15,000 for "A Wish Come True."

Heels & Wheels committee co-chairs Deb Aaron, Michelle Datoli, Toby Aaron and Karla Driscoll recently presented the $15,000 check to Rosemary Bowers, executive director of the charity. The check will pay for three wishes for children in the "Wish" program.

Next year, co-chair Toby Aaron is setting the bar even higher. This year, the event raised a gross total of $60,000: for next year's event, he hopes to raise $100,000, starting now

"I think we're going to reach [the goal]," said Aaron. "We sold out the dinner portion this year and created three wishes. I think next year we can cut expenses and raise $100,000."

According to Aaron, he's aiming to raise enough money to grant eight to ten wishes.

Aside from the lofty goals, Aaron also enumerated some changes to expect for next year's celebration. Aaron and co-chairs are looking to nix the car parade from the town wharf parking lot to the town beach, sticking to just a car show behind Rite Aid in Wickford.

"A Wish Come True" is a 28-year-old, Rhode Island based non-profit which grants "wishes" to children ages three to 18 who have a life threatening illness. The organization is currently working with 33 medically-qualified children and grants an average of 60 to 80 wishes each year.

Next year's event will be held May 18 and 19, 2012.