(Photo Credit: Manny Hernandez)
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The InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball reaches its 30th year on November 1st, marking three decades of fundraising for children with critical illnesses. Since its start, the annual gala has raised over $47 million for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, funding more than 8,700 wishes for kids facing serious medical conditions.

The event has become a fixture in South Florida's charity calendar, typically kicking off the region's philanthropic season each fall. This year's gala continues under the leadership of Shareef Malnik, who's chaired the event for 20 years, alongside his wife, actress and filmmaker Gabrielle Anwar, serving as co-chair.

A Cleopatra-Themed Evening

This year's theme pulls from Hollywood's silent film era, specifically centering on "Cleopatra" as interpreted through 1920s cinema. Maxwell Blandford, the Ball's creative director, is designing the event to evoke vintage glamour from that period in Los Angeles film history.

The black-tie gala will take place at the InterContinental Miami, which has hosted the event throughout its 30-year run. Guests can expect the usual format: cocktails, dinner, entertainment, and fundraising appeals throughout the evening.

The Performance Lineup Stays Under Wraps

One consistent element of the Make-A-Wish Ball is keeping the headline performer secret until just before the event. Past years have featured major names like Diana Ross, John Legend, Gwen Stefani, Lenny Kravitz, Jennifer Hudson, Steven Tyler, Marc Anthony, Adam Lambert, and Sting.

The pattern suggests organizers book high-profile recording artists who can draw both donors and attention to the cause. This year's performer hasn't been announced yet, following the established tradition of revealing the headliner close to the event date.

Behind the Scenes

The Ball's organizers credit three key figures with sustaining the event across 30 years. Shareef Malnik has chaired the gala for nearly two decades and previously led the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Nightclub for 17 years. He currently serves as Chairman Emeritus of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida.

Glenn Sampert, General Manager of the InterContinental Miami, oversees the hotel's contribution of venue space, staff time, and resources to the annual event. Norman Wedderburn, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, manages the organization's operations and ensures funds raised translate into granted wishes.

InterContinental Miami Executive Chef Francesco Martini and his culinary team will handle the gourmet dinner service. Southern Wine & Spirits, a sponsor since the Ball's first year, will supply cocktails throughout the evening.

What Make-A-Wish Does

Make-A-Wish Southern Florida is the regional chapter of the national Make-A-Wish organization, which grants wishes to children diagnosed with critical illnesses. The concept is that fulfilling a child's wish can provide emotional strength and hope during difficult medical treatment periods.

Wishes vary widely based on each child's interests and situation. Some kids want to meet celebrities or athletes, others request trips to specific destinations, and some ask for tangible items like bedroom makeovers or gaming setups. The Southern Florida chapter serves kids across Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties.

The Milestone Achievement

Reaching 30 years gives the Ball a strong anniversary hook for fundraising appeals and media coverage. The event's three-decade track record provides stability and credibility that newer charity events lack, with donors able to point to concrete results—8,700 wishes granted—rather than just promises about future impact.

The Make-A-Wish Ball sits at the beginning of South Florida's charity season, which runs roughly from November through April. By happening early in the season, it captures donors before they've committed their annual charity budgets elsewhere. The high-profile entertainment and themed production values also help it stand out from simpler fundraising formats.

For Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, maintaining this level of fundraising success year after year requires constant cultivation of new donors while retaining existing supporters. Ticket and sponsorship information is available at sfla.wish.org.