Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Rhode Island

Held at the Westin hotel in downtown Providence, this annual event featured local legend and Hollywood star Armen Garo, who played Salvatore “Coco” Cogliano on the “Sopranos” TV show. Garo served as honorary chair of the 2007 event along with a few special guest stars, including Gene Valicenti, anchor of “NBC 10 News,” who emceed the gala.

Guests kicked off the evening over cocktails and live piano music. Dinner and dancing followed along with a live and silent auction with more than 80 items up for bid, including everything from sports memorabilia to special limited-edition prints, vacation destinations and a trip package to the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia. One lucky bidder won a “Soprano” day with “Coco” in New York City.

A special highlight of the event was the presentation of a new “wishmobile,” donated by Paul Masse, president of Paul Masse Chevrolet in Providence, who is a dedicated supporter of the Foundation.

More than 450 guests attended the event, which raised enough funds to grant 19 wishes of Rhode Island children.

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Utah

More than 3,000 people participated in this year’s Rubber Ducky Derby, most of them ducky racers. During this annual fundraiser, racers sponsor rubber ducks for a suggested donation of $5. More than 17,000 rubber ducks raced around the lazy river at the Raging Waters water park, raising enough funds to help grant more than 20 wishes.

A wish family reunion party was also going on during the day. Wish families past and present came together to enjoy this fun and inspiring day.

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Orange County and the Inland Empire

The guests who attended the fourth anniversary of this exciting gala had a lot to celebrate: the event raised enough funds to grant an incredible 21 wishes! This gala celebrates those people who have brought “light, love and vision” to the Foundation and who have helped make wishes come true. More than 300 guests enjoyed an evening filled with dancing, dining, a silent auction and the signature “Ultimate Wish Auction” at the Disney Grand California Hotel in Anaheim. GM Area Sales Manager Felix Wu and other GM representatives supported the gala.

Thanks to this event, the wish of Jamie, 17, was granted. She went to Maui where she took barefoot walks on the beach, went whale watching, enjoyed shopping, and collected happy memories to treasure.

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Michigan

The people at Die Engineering Services really know how to get a wish granted! Members of UAW Local 653 formed teams and held a softball tournament. Each participant raised pledges from their family and friends, asking them to support their team and the children of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In addition to getting community support, the members held a 50/50 raffle and lunch, and a Texas Hold ‘em poker tournament. These generous people raised enough funds to help grant Dominique’s wish to take a vacation in Brisbane, Australia. 

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Greater Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana

Thirty-eight teams participated in this year’s three-mile walk at the gardens of Coney Island Park. After the event, the 500 walkers were treated to delicious food, entertained by clowns and mascots and enjoyed music by local radio station Q102. Representatives for Borcherding Buick-Pontiac-GMC in Cincinnati laced up their shoes and walked for wishes, too. The event raised enough funds to grant 10 wishes including Travale's wish to go on a shopping spree.

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Illinois

Set under the stars at the picturesque Millennium Park, this popular event was attended by about 1,000 guests who delighted in the fairy tale setting. They feasted on culinary delights by Blue Plate, Chicago’s largest catering and events company, and danced the night away to the sounds of a live dance band. Wish children shared their courageous stories, and everyone had a chance to enjoy the live and silent auctions. Curt Pascarella, president of Phillips Chevrolet in Frankfort, and his wife Donna joined in the fun. The event raised enough funds to grant an incredible 77 wishes, including Michelle's wish to go on a Caribbean cruise.

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Northwest Ohio

Thirty-three wishes will be granted as a result of this amazing event. About 800 guests danced the night away after enjoying a wonderful dinner and bidding on many amazing items at both the live and silent auctions. More than 300 items were auctioned off during the event, including sports memorabilia, exciting getaways and tickets to sporting events.

The guests also had the opportunity to meet and have their photo taken with the celebrity of the evening. This year, head coach Urban Meyer of the University of Florida Gators was the celebrity guest speaker. As a special treat, wish child Kristen spoke of the impact that Make-A-Wish made on her life. She had her wish granted many years ago, but has not forgotten how looking forward to her wish helped her get through the challenges she faced in her younger years.

The GM Powertrain Toledo transmission plant supported the event with an outstanding attendance. "The plant has a tremendous interest in the kids. They know what the families are going through and want to be supportive," said Jay Salvage, executive director, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northwest Ohio.

GM Plant Personnel Manager Joe Farinella said, "The event allows the community to come together for a singular purpose—to help wish children. We get boundless joy to be a small part of helping to grant a wish."

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Southern Florida

Bowling has never been so much fun! In Fort Meyers, 24 teams got together to help grant wishes by showing off their bowling skills. There were five people on each team; the fifth bowler was a professional athlete from the Minnesota Twins baseball team or the Miami Dolphins football team. More than 120 guests enjoyed bidding on items and having their photos taken with the pro players and the Miami Dolphin cheerleaders.

Representatives from Roger Dean Chevrolet of Cape Coral, Florida joined together to form two teams for the event. The event raised enough funds to grant four wishes.

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Minnesota

Twenty-seven wishes will come true thanks to the success of this 24th annual dinner, auction and gala. Held at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, the event was hosted by KARE 11 anchor Mike Pomeranz and included a live and silent auction, dinner, dancing and lots of fun! Guests bid on great gifts such as golf outings, jewelry, a day at the spa and a Florida getaway. Best of all, guests were given the rare opportunity to bid on a specific wish and be a part of the magic of making a child's wish come true.

Representatives from eight local GM dealerships, including Stillwater Motor Co. and Friendly Chevrolet attended the event, including Roger Moody president of Friendly Chevrolet.