April 13, 2016

Make-A-Wish Arizona Wish Ball Raises More Than $1.6M

Best-selling author Clive Cussler and his wife, Janet; Dr. Evan Lederman and Mari Lederman with Rodney Riley and Jill Krigsten

Make-A-Wish Arizona raised more than $1.6 million during the Wish Ball on April 2 at the Phoenician. The event was presented by Good Night Pediatrics, with proceeds helping to grant more than 160 wishes.

This year’s Wish Ball, which celebrates the mission of Make-A-Wish Arizona by raising funds to grant the wishes of Arizona children with life-threatening medical conditions, included a special opportunity for the more than 740 attendees; each was directly involved with granting a wish.

Wish kid Jayne, 13, who lives with a life-threatening neurological disorder, wished to be a fashion designer and create dresses that would help raise funds for future wish kids. Her wish was granted at the Wish Ball when four of her original designs were showcased as a live auction item. The winner of the auction received one design custom made by Jayne’s design mentor on the wish. The second part of Jayne’s wish, to help raise funds for future wishes, came true when not one, but two individuals each bid $4,000 to have an original Jayne creation.

Jayne’s wish helped to launch the evening’s Fund-A-Wish activity, which was capped with a $500,000 donation from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The Parsons pledged the half-million-dollar gift as a show of continued support to the chapter and its mission.

“There is a special kind of healing power that surfaces when a wish kid’s wish is granted,” said Renee Parsons, who is also a Make-A-Wish Arizona Board member. “There’s no greater joy than knowing we are making a difference.”

The event’s live auction included the highest bid on record for the Wish Ball when a donor bid $110,000 for an opportunity to have his name written into a future Clive Cussler best seller. Cussler, a long-time supporter, agreed to match the bid on the spot – raising $220,000 on one item in the live auction.

The Wish Ball honored local law firm Quarles & Brady LLP with the Tom and Madena Stewart Lifetime Compassion Award. The award recognizes outstanding community members who have brought honor to themselves, Make-A-Wish Arizona and the communities where they work and live. Quarles & Brady has donated both money and pro bono legal work to the chapter for more than 25 years. In addition, senior leadership members of the firm have participated as board members.

The Wish Ball’s Wishes Are Forever James Bond theme was designed by co-chairs Jill Krigsten and Mari Lederman.