SALLY ANN SHURMUR Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Saturday, November 8, 2008 12:00 am
With Thanksgiving less than three weeks away, folks rushing headlong into the holidays have one of many chances to help others on Saturday. And they'll enjoy the evening while helping sick kids.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wyoming holds its sixth annual "Stories of Light" dinner, wine tasting and auction from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Best Western Ramkota. The nonprofit grants wishes of Wyoming children ages 2-1/2 to 18 with life-threatening medical conditions.
The event kicks off the seasonal "Stories of Light." As wishes of sick Wyoming children are adopted - or money is raised to cover the average cost of a wish, approximately $7,000 - a "story" or level of the Platte River Parkway oil derrick will be lit, reminding all who see it that Christmas is a time when wishes really do come true.
According to executive director Ann Zwickl, 23 wishes were granted to Wyoming children in the year ending Aug. 31. There are still 19 wishes pending from Wyoming children.
The evening starts with wine tasting featuring a large variety of exclusive wines from Poplar Wine & Spirits. Guests will enter the dining room for a gourmet dinner, presentations by wish families expressing the impact a wish has had on their child and family, and a live auction.
The highlight of the evening will be inspirational stories with wish videos shared by wish families. Five-year-old Austin from Rock Springs loves to camp with his family and his wish was a recreational vehicle to use for camping. Seven-year-old Skylah from Cody wished to find the Loch Ness monster.
Portraits of two wish children by artist Tom Loepp will be auctioned and presented to the children. Other live auction items include original artwork by Carol Swinney and Robert Deurloo; Belize and Mexico vacations; ski and golf packages; a grizzly/wolf safari, a hot air balloon ride, Jackson getaways, and other items.
The auction concludes with the Fund-a-Wish paddle raise, where those in attendance have a chance to contribute whatever amount they are able to give toward the cost of a wish.
Event attendees will also have an opportunity to buy a chance to win a like-new 2001 Softail Harley Davidson motorcycle with 4,000 miles on it. Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased at the Make-A-Wish office or by phone before the event. The raffle drawing will be at the end of the evening.
Tickets for the evening are $90 each or $700 for a table of eight. Seating is limited. To reserve tickets or for more information, call 234-9474 or e-mail mawish5@bresnan.net.