Portland, November 14, 2015. Make-A-Wish® Oregon raised more than $600,000 at this year’s sold-out Wish Ball at the Portland Art Museum. The event was presented by Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys and U.S. Bank and drew more than 600 guests and brought wish kids and their families, donors, supporters and board members together for one night to celebrate the power of a wish. More than 20 wish children and their families took part in the event and shared their stories of how the wish experience impacted them. Grown-ups like Kari Chisholm, Carrie Wynkoop, Make-A-Wish Oregon CEO Laila Cook, Charles Turner and Jennifer Turner had the opportunity to take a memorable photo with some of this year’s wish children, including 11-year-old Madison and 7-year-old Fynn. (Photo Credit, Jeff Hinds Photography)
Wish kid Ellerie, 3, gasps in excitement as she takes center stage during the Wish Ball’s VIP dinner.
Wish kid Lexi, 4, lights up the dance floor as she gives her best twirl for KATU anchor Debora Knapp, who emceed the event.
5-year-old wish child Lexi with Make-A-Wish Oregon Board Member Erika Miller. Lexi designed and painted special wish wands for guests to bid on at the VIP Fundraising Dinner.
11-year-old wish child Madison and 7-year-old wish child Fynn. (Back L to R) Carey Cox, Kristine Cox, Wendi Sinclair and Make-A-Wish Oregon Board Chair Geoff Sinclair.
Guests of Wish Ball helped raise money for the organization through a live and silent auction, ticket raffles and more. The silent auction featured artwork that local wish kids created to depict their unique wish experience. In addition to the auction, guests participated in the Wall of Wine and a pop-a-balloon game that featured fun date night packages and experiences. Everyone also enjoyed live music and dancing to cap off an unforgettable night.
Make-A-Wish Oregon is one of the 62 chapters across the country supporting the Make-A-Wish® mission to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. In fiscal year 2015, Make-A-Wish Oregon granted a record 211 wishes. In fiscal year 2016, with the help of volunteers and supporters, we hope to grant the wishes of 225 local children.
For more information, please visit http://oregon.wish.org or follow at @ORWish.
