On November 10, 2007, the InterContinental Miami and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida celebrated their annual fundraiser, the 13th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball. This year, the ball raised a record $1.5 million for South Florida’s children, besting last year’s amount by more than $850,000. Guests of the evening enjoyed a Hollywood themed gala dinner, a musical performance by Natalie Cole and an extravagant live auction emceed by Hollywood actress and philanthropist Sharon Stone.

A-list VIP and celebrity attendees participated in raising more than $120,000 at the silent auction that took place during the elaborate cocktail reception. As guests enjoyed the sumptuous roast duck and caramelized pear appetizer, created by Chef Alexander Feher of the InterContinental Miami, the event’s production company, Triton Productions, surprised the crowd with a video presentation that was displayed on the 360-degree video screen featuring welcome speeches by Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida President/CEO Norman Wedderburn, Chairman of the Board L. Robert Elias, 2007 Ball Chairman Shareef Malnik and InterContinental Miami General Manager and Gala Host Jack J. Miller. Following the presentation, guests were given the opportunity to sponsor a wish at $5,000 each. Longtime Make-A-Wish supporter Jim Ferraro emerged as the star donor of the evening, adopting a record 40 wishes at a total of $200,000, while making his annual challenge to the audience. Other high-end wish sponsors included Southern Wine & Spirits owners Harvey and Roberta Chaplin, the Stuart A. Miller Family Foundation, sponsoring 20 wishes, and Grand Benefactors, Stanley and Gala Cohen, sponsoring 10 wishes. More than $900,000 was raised through the adoption of wishes.

Sharon Stone seduced the star-studded audience during the live auction, presented by Edie Laquer of Laquer Foundation, for which an impressive array of luxury brands and leading South Florida businesses generously donated items. Stone took to the stage with a touching story of how a young girl with HIV requested a visit from Stone to help prepare her for a dance recital, before commencing the auction. “Get out your money, I’m coming to get it,” announced Stone, wearing a diamond cross and a black halter cat suit. The Ferrari F430 F1 Coupe, provided by THE COLLECTION, Miami’s prestigious luxury car dealership, was the item that received the highest bid, auctioned at $240,000 to Dr. Roger Medel, CEO of Pediatrix in Miami. The much anticipated highlight of the evening was Ms. Stone auctioning her own black vintage 1985 Rolls Royce that was parked in the center of the ballroom. “It’s a nice ride and has plenty of room in the back seat,” smiled the Basic Instinct star as she opened the trunk, which was filled with a case of vintage Dom Perignon, a bottle of Remy Martin Louis XIII, Tiffany & Co. crystal champagne stirrers and seven key chains—one for each day of the week. “It’s been a while since I’ve been back here,” said Stone before revealing a black lace bra she “found” in the backseat. The bidding war started at $100,000, and after plenty of flirting with the audience, Stone raised $160,000 for the car, bought by Jim Ferraro. The live auction in total raised more than $445,000.

Musical legend Natalie Cole took to the stage with her pianist for the finale of the night, performing a total of seven tracks, including “Unforgettable,” while guests encircled her, dancing.

Ms. Cole then proceeded to the hotel’s Cambridge Room for an exclusive meet and greet with photo opportunities for 12 VIP couples. The live entertainment was sponsored by Sentinel.

More than 900 A-list VIPs, socialites, philanthropists and celebrities attended the soirée, including former basketball superstar Scottie Pippen; Juan Pierre (Los Angeles Dodgers); Cliff Floyd (Chicago Cubs); Mike and Alicia Piazza; Erin Cosby; Robert Van Winkle (a.k.a Vanilla Ice); Lifetime Benefactors, Al and Nancy Malnik; Senator Bob Graham and his wife Adele; Jim Ferraro; John Cardillo; Harvey and Roberta Chaplin and Wayne and Arlene Chaplin (owners of Southern Wine & Spirits; Edie Laquer; J.R. and Loren Ridinger; Lee Schrager; Rene Ruiz; Jeffrey and Cher Zavik and Jordan and Denise Zimmerman.

For more information on the 2008 InterContinental Make-A-Wish Ball (to be held on Saturday, November 8, 2008), click here.

Event Photos