The Mass. YAC raised the funds at its second annual “Wine & Wishes” Event on October 17th
Over 180 young professionals from the Boston area turned out for the second annual “Wine & Wishes” event organized and sponsored by the MAIA Young Agents Committee and Trusted Choice. The event, held on October 17th at Morton’s The Steakhouse in the Seaport was to support the Make-A-Wish of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
“It’s a privilege be a part of this outstanding event for the 2nd year in a row. To see firsthand the positive effective a wish can have on a child and their family as they undergo such a difficult time is truly the greatest reward. I’m honored to have helped make this evening a success and applaud the outstanding job done by the Make-A-Wish staff and the 2014 Wine & Wishes Committee.” commented Rob Barresi, upcoming Vice Chair for MAIA’s Young Agents Committee, who also chaired the Wine & Wishes Committee.
Attendess were greeted at the door of the Winter Atrium with a champagne tasting and smiles from Make-A-Wish volunteers. Event emcee Jonathan Soroff of The Improper Bostonian, opened this year’s event with a few laughs and attendees were welcomed to visit all of the 13 tasting tables that included fine wines, whiskeys and spirits from around the globe.
The evening festivities were DJ’d by Tre, 15, who used his wish for DJ Equipment to keep the atmosphere lively. He paused briefly to hear 9 year old Maddie and her Mother speak about her wish to skate with the Boston Bruins. Attendees were then treated to a viewing of the heartwarming video of Maddie meeting and skating with her hockey idols.
In addition to the MAIA’s event for Make-A-Wish MA & RI, October also marked a high note for the national Make-A-Wish
Founded in 1980 in Phoenix, the Make- A-Wish Foundation is funded entirely through private donations either by individual or corporate sponsors. Through the 61 chapters across the U.S., the Make-A-Wish Foundation is able to grant more than 14,000 wishes each year. On October 31st, the National Foundation announced that it had achieved a major milestone: Granting 250,000 wishes in the Unites States since its inception.
We’re not stopping at 250,000 because there are so many more wishes to grant. In fact, estimates show that on average, 74 children are diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition every day,” said David Williams, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America in announcing the Foundation’s milestone. “Right now, we are able to grant the wishes of only half of those kids. And it’s only through public support that we’ll be able to grant the one, true wish of every eligible child.”
The money raised at the October “Wine & Wishes” event ensures that the Make-A-Wish Foundation of MA & RI will be able to grant six wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses in the coming year.
