CHARLOTTE, NC (Feb. 22, 2021) – Supporters from across the Charlotte and surrounding areas will gather together virtually to grant life-changing wishes at the 18th annual Wish Ball on Feb. 26, 2021. The inspiring evening will be filled with uplifting wish stories, exciting auction opportunities and fun surprises. Not only will participants hear from special guests and wish kids, they will also experience the real-time excitement of bidding on LIVE auction items. Best of all, throughout the night supporters will be making life-changing wishes possible for local children battling critical illnesses.
Due to pandemic related disruptions, there are currently over 550 local kids waiting for their wishes. While Make-A-Wish Central & Western North Carolina is granting all the wishes it can right now, the organization is also trying to prepare to grant wishes at an unprecedented pace once it’s safe to do so. Funds raised at this year’s Wish Ball will help ensure that no child waits even one unnecessary day to experience the hope and joy that a wish brings.
During the virtual Wish Ball, Make-A-Wish Central & Western North Carolina has a goal of raising enough funds to grant 65 life-changing wishes. These funds will be raised on event-night through donations from the silent auction sponsored by Jeld-Wen, a $500 Amex gift card raffle sponsored by Ally Financial, live auction items, and the Fund-A-Wish portion of the evening.
The live auction items available during the virtual Wish Ball include a piece of wish art from a local family, an in-home wine experience, a luxury trip to Mexico, and custom doors from Jeld-Wen. In addition, there will be an award-winning chef curated in-home dining experience from a wish dad and chef, Chris Aquilino. The final live auction item will be a pair of game shoes worn by Charlotte Hornets’ Cody Zeller during games on Feb. 20 and 22, 2021. The shoes were hand-painted by Charlotte artist Ryan Bare and inspired by the wishes of four different local children who are currently waiting for his or her wish to be granted.
The Wish Ball online silent auction sponsored by Jeld-Wen opened for bidding on Feb. 19 and anyone is able to participate, even if they cannot attend the event. The silent auction will close promptly at 9:00 p.m. on event night.
Thanks to event sponsors, Make-A-Wish has already made progress towards their goal of granting 65 wishes. Sponsors include the Roby Family of Companies, Rhinehart Fire Services, Quility, Jeld-Wen, Lake Norman and Gastonia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, the Dale Jr. Foundation, Denard Enterprises, Home Technology Solutions, Piedmont Natural Gas and High Performance Real Estate Advisors.
There is no cost to sign-up and virtually attend the event. Everyone is invited to participate by visiting ncwishball.org.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
- Wish Ball co-host: wish kid Kierra whose wish to see Hamilton on Broadway was granted in 2018.
- Wish dad and auction donor Chef Chris Aquilino
- Make-A-Wish Central & Western North Carolina representatives