Through the Adopt-A-Wish program, the following individuals and corporations have generously made children’s wishes come true.  Our thanks to those supporters who have sponsored children’s wishes since September 1, 2009. For a complete listing of Adopt-A-Wish Sponsors and Wish Partners for last fiscal year, click here. For more information on adopting a wish, click here.

2009 Man of Style – in honor of Norm Wedderburn, Brett Rose, Sharon Barnwell-Miller, Chantal Wedderburn and Pam Collins
2010 Philippe Chow – in honor of Jaime Elias, Robby Elias and Michael Rose
Airbus (4 wishes)
Allergan/LATISSE
Polly Annenberg Levee Charitable Trust
ANONYMOUS ( 2 wishes)
Apple Sauce Inc. (4 wishes)
Mr. Keith Ballard
Bank of America (2 wishes)
Mr. & Mrs. Shai Bar Lavi
Barefoot Children of Ft. Lauderdale PHC
Barry University Facility & Event Management class 2010 (2 wishes)
Mr. & Mrs. Richard E. Bastin
Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Beaver
Lisa Bilotti Foundation
Black Knight Foundation, Inc- Claudia and Gary Player, Jr. (2 wishes)
Blizzard Entertainment
Mr. & Mrs. Juan Bravo
The Richard E. Capri Foundation (2 wishes)
Mr. &  Mrs. Vincent F. Carosella
Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Chaplin ( 20 wishes)
Charitable Lead Annuity Trust U W LFEIL
Chi Omega Fraternity ( 2 wishes)
CJ Foundation for Children in Need, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Cohen (5 wishes)
Cordis Corporation
Crispin Porter + Bogusky
Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation, Inc. (3 wishes)
Ms. Patricia Deering
Mr. & Mrs. Gil Dezer (2 wishes)
Double Eagle Distributing, Inc.
Dream Gala at the Copa Royale 2010
Mr. & Mrs. Ariel Edelsburg
Ms. Bonnie Eletz
The Elias Law Firm, PLLC
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Falciglia
Mr. William Fickling III
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Finkelstein – in honor of Al and Nancy Malnik
Mr. John Fisher III
Charles F. & Esther M. Frye Foundation
Friends of Harvey Herman – in honor of his birthday
Mr. Robert Garner
Glades Middle School
Gordon Family Foundation
Halperin Foundation
Helms Foundation
H.I. Foundation, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Holland
Huizenga Family Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. David Jagolinzer (5 wishes)
Mr. & Mrs. Manuel Kadre (2 wishes)
Kane Family Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Suresh Khilani
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Kosoy
Mr. Marc Landau – in memory of Gregory Landau
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Lauria (5 wishes)
Robert O. Law Foundation, Inc.
Josephine S Leiser Foundation Inc.
Lewis Family Foundation
Mr. Thomas E. Lewis – in memory of Taelor Lewis (2 wishes)
Mr. & Mrs. Julian Leyva
Mr. Bob Lisy
Elsie Luhan Charitable Fnd.
MAH Foundation
Mr. Shareef Malnik (2 wishes)
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Mandala (5 wishes)
Mr. & Mrs. Alan Mandel
Mr. James Marino
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Martin
Drs. Roger & Ginger Medel (3 wishes)
Miller Family Foundation (2 wishes)
Mr. & Mrs. Cecil Milton (2 wishes)
Morgan Stanley Foundation
Ms. Charlotte Munder (4 wishes)
The Nancy Strom Endowment
O.C. Tanner
Mr. & Mrs. James Oppenheimer
Palm Beach Sailfish Classic- Mr. Earl Stewart (2 wishes)
Mr. & Mrs. David Paresky (2 wishes)
Patti-O Foundation, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Ernesto Perez (3 wishes)
Pinewood Elementary School
Mr. Richard Polidori (2 wishes)
Mr. Michael Price (5 wishes)
R. Workens Company, LLC
RAT Entertainment
Ms. Betsy Rauch
Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Renna
Mr. & Mrs. Roland W. Roberts
Mr. Christopher Roddy
The Thomas E. Rodgers, Jr. Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Jesus Romero
Mr. & Mrs. Franz Rosinus
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas Launch
Mr. & Mrs. Shani Sasson – in honor of Shareef Malnik and Norm Wedderburn
Schmidt Family Foundation (2 wishes)
Mr. Gary Schreier & Mr. Ron Schreier – in memory of Phyllis Schreier
The Sharaja Foundation
Shark Shootout Charities in honor of Ms. Annika Sorenstam
Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Sheldon
Mr. & Mrs. Don Shula
Mr. & Mrs. David A. Siegel
Ms. Jacqueline Simkin – in honor of Dr. Phillip Frost
Abraham & Beverly Sommer Foundation
South Florida Golf Foundation, Inc.
Mr. Erik Spoelstra
St. Lucie Mets Strike Out for Wishes
Mr. & Mrs. John Staluppi
Stamps Family Charitable Foundation (2 wishes)
Mr. & Mrs. Howard Sutter
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Tageson (2 wishes)
Team Norm
Team Leah
Team Yester
Warren L. and Cecile M. Thompson Foundation
Tommy Bahama (4 wishes)
Trafalgar Capital Advisors Inc. (13 wishes)
Mr. & Mrs. Philip Trosclair
Unitedhealthcare
University Lower School of Nova
Vander Werf Family Foundation
Vanneck-Baily Foundation
Mr. Stephen Vecchitto (2 wishes)
VISTA Healthplan
Waiora (6 wishes)
Ms. Brenda K. Yester (3 wishes)

Forge owner, Shareef Malnik held an exclusive cocktail for the unveiling of the renovated façade of the Forge Restaurant I Wine Bar, which was dramatically covered in white fabric. To the average observer driving by, the wrapped building may have resembled the work of Christo and the late Jeanne-Claude (you remember, the folks who wrapped the islands in Biscayne Bay a few decades back).

A gorgeous sunset served as the backdrop for this momentous street-side affair, during which Miami Beach commissioner Michael Gongora presented Malnik with a Proclamation and Key to the City and shared that he held his first victory party at the Forge a few years ago.  Malnik followed with a touching speech in which he told guests that he considers the $10 million renovation a “labor of love and the result of fine work.” He said that the Forge has a sense of community and that he is touched by the support of the community throughout the years.  Malnik closed with “I consider it a responsibility to serve you and feed you.” He then invited several people who were instrumental in “Forge of the future” to join him for the ribbon cutting and unveiling, including Chef Dewey Losasso and Michael Capponi, whose company, the Capponi Group  was critical to the project.

A collective, “Wow!” emanated from the crowd as Malnik pulled the enormous cover off of the façade of the building, which boasts a neoclassical design and seems to glow, illuminating 41^st Street.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude once stated that “the purpose of their art, is simply to create works of art or joy and beauty and to create new ways of seeing familiar landscapes.”  With the renovation of the Forge I Wine Bar, Malnik has done just that.

InterContinental Miami hosted its kick-off celebration to commemorate the upcoming 16th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southern Florida on Thursday, May 27 at InterContinental Miami. The private cocktail reception, to be attended by more than 200 of South Florida’s leading philanthropists, will honor the highly anticipated annual Ball, which will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2010.
The Ball’s “Three Amigos” – Norman Wedderburn, President/CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida; Shareef Malnik, Ball Chairman and proprietor of The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar; and Robert Hill, Gala Host and General Manager of InterContinental Miami – will make exciting announcements throughout the event, including the selected theme for the upcoming ball and a list of highly coveted items that will be up for bid at the live auction. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while being entertained with beats by DJ Irie and a slideshow from last year’s Ball.

Last year’s 15th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball raised more than $1 million for children in need across South Florida. The night’s events, which included a Beatles-inspired cocktail reception and dinner, musical performance by Beatlemania Now, live auction emceed by Pamela Anderson and 2nd Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Nightclub, successfully kept The Power of a Wish® alive.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida grants the wishes of children who have life-threatening medical conditions, to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Covering a 13-county territory of Southern Florida, the chapter’s goal is to grant more than 525 wishes this year. For more information, contact the Foundation at (888) 773-WISH or log on to www.sfla.wish.org.

On April 18, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida held the 2010 InterContinental Miami “Make-A-Wish Ball Garden Party,” a private cocktail reception for South Florida’s leading philanthropists and alike. Hosted by lifetime benefactors Al and Nancy Malnik at their private oceanfront estate in Ocean Ridge, the intimate gathering was the first event of the year in honor of the highly anticipated annual ball, to be held November 6.

“I am extremely moved by the support we received on this very special day,” said Shareef Malnik, chairperson of the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball. “It clearly shows that the Ball and its cause have one of the most loyal followings, and for this I am extremely grateful. I would also like to thank my father Al and his lovely wife Nancy for putting on this beautiful event each year, which honors those generous individuals who help make wishes come true.”

Guests at the Garden Party included President/CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida, Norman Wedderburn; Ball chairman and proprietor of one of Miami’s best restaurants The Forge, Shareef Malnik; and gala host and general manager of InterContinental Miami, Robert Hill. Special guests included legendary boxing promoter Don King, Burn Notice actress Gabrielle Anwar, and designer Rene Ruiz. Guests enjoyed ‘Rising Suns,’ a specialty cocktail designed by The Forge Restaurant and Wine Bar’s mixologist; hors d’oeuvres; beats by DJ Joe Dert and a performance by Japanese Taiko drummers Fushu Daiko.

The Garden Party was first event of the year in honor of the upcoming 16th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball. This year’s Ball will mark the 27th anniversary of The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida. Last year’s Ball raised more than $1 million and granted 200 wishes, more than 40 percent of all the wishes the chapter granted last year.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida grants the wishes of children who have life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Covering a 13-county territory of Southern Florida, the chapter’s goal is to grant more than 525 wishes in 2010. For more information, call 888-773-WISH or visit http://www.sfla.wish.org.

The Make-A-Wish organization has this sentence floating across the screen on their Web page promoting World Wish Day, April 29, 2010:  “Today is when tomorrow’s wishes start coming true.”

Growing up, Al Malnik may not have been dreaming about becoming a lawyer, restaurateur or successful businessman.  But what he did know was that he would, without a doubt, make something of himself.  “Growing up in a very poor neighborhood in St. Louis – experiencing poverty – gave me an uncanny, almost compulsive desire to make something out of myself,” he said.  “Whether it was consciously or unconsciously, that desire included being important in whatever I did.”
An extremely private man, Al rarely agrees to interview requests but his business success, including a large consumer loan business and at one time Miami Beach’s world-renowned and recently renovated restaurant, The Forge, is owned by Shareef Malnik.  “I haven’t really paid much attention to what’s been written,” he said. “People pretty much write what they want and that gets repeated.”
Documented or not, he definitely succeeded and that success has been in more areas than just business.  Right from the start, Al began making financial contributions to charitable organizations.  That generosity certainly deserves respect. But going the extra mile – donating your time and opening your heart and home to those in need – is worthy of even more.
It’s no surprise that both Al and his wife Nancy are active supporters of organizations committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals in need.  The scope of their philanthropic activities is broad: children’s causes, religious-based charities, education and a large donation to Jackson Memorial Hospital, in honor of the late chairman and his friend Jay Weiss, are just a few.
A life-altering experience began in 2004 when one of the Malnik’s triplets, six-year-old Jarod, was diagnosed with AML leukemia. While Al and Nancy had always held a special passion for groups focused on helping children and made a point to focus much of their charity work on those groups, they came face to face with the reality of just how fragile human life is and the amount of faith and endurance they would need to fight this battle.
Throughout Jarod’s seven-month cancer treatment, Al and Nancy’s belief that even a single act of kindness can positively impact a child’s life was reinforced. Even before having their own children, one organization, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida, has always been a favorite for the couple.  They say seeing a child’s face light up with happiness and joy is something unforgettable
Years have passed since their family’s battle with cancer and Jarod is strong and healthy. Their commitment to charitable organizations is stronger than ever.  Grateful for any opportunity to see their own son smile during his treatments, they wanted to make things easier for other families as well.  For several years now, they have been lifetime benefactors of the organization.
Some say success is often helped along by a healthy dose of luck or good timing, but looking back at Al’s business ventures it’s clear he left little to chance.  When you have the ability to walk into a restaurant known primarily for its $2 dinners and see more – turn it into The Forge, or represent clients other lawyers wouldn’t consider – more than luck is at play.  “I’ve always done what I’ve wanted to do, within reasonable bounds or what I’ve considered reasonable bounds,” Al said.
Make-A-Wish families and children in need of some special wish-granting are glad he did.
For more information about Make-A-Wish, visit www.sfla.wish.org or call 954-967-9474.

Al and Nancy Malnik, lifetime benefactors of the Intercontinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball, hosted an intimate garden party at their palatial, Art Deco estate on Sunday, for two hundred of the foundation’s top supporters. During his emotional address, Philanthropist Al Malnik set the bar for this year’s Intercontinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball at a record $2,000,000.00, eliciting a collective gasp from the select crowd. The billionaire with the huge heart motivated and moved his guests with a personal account, “Nancy and I have recently been touched with our own personal tragedy with one of our little ones, so the foundation has come to mean even more than ever before.” Al Malnik’s son, Shareef, returning Gala Chair, beamed with pride as his father spoke, making it obvious that the two have a close relationship and that Shareef admires his father’s zeal and stamina, (after all, Al, who is in his mid-seventies, has given Shareef six siblings ages of ten and under!) Now that’s chutzpa!

The jazz band and choir from King’s Academy entertained the crowd, who mingled in the estate’s gardens, just steps from the ocean, enjoying passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails on a perfect Sunday afternoon. At last year’s garden party, a team of synchronized swimmers delighted guests by performing various numbers in the pool, with the precision and prowess of the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas.

Distinguished guests included Norman Wedderburn, President/CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida, who assured supporters that he “would not stop, would not sleep, until every wish was granted;” Jack Miller, General Manager of Hotel InterContinental Miami and Gala Host of the IMAW Ball; L. Robert Elias, Chairman of the Board of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida and James Ferraro, of The Ferraro Law Firm and Wish Benefactor of the IMAW Ball. Other notable guests in attendance: champion boxer, Bernard Hopkins, burgeoning singer/songwriter, Jamie Jo Harris, designer, Richie Rich, Baby Chic, Nick D’ Annunzio, Tara Solomon, Fabian Basabe, Antonio Misuraca and Michael Valdes. The palpable excitement prevailed throughout the afternoon, in anticipation of this year’s ball to be held on November 7 at the Hotel Intercontinental. Over 900 guests are expected to attend. This year’s host remains a secret, but several attendees requested Sharon Stone return as host this year. Shareef promised he would try. Kim Kardashian did a good job last year, but Sharon Stone left some pretty tall stilettos to fill after the 2007 gala!

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Imagine there’s a Heaven, it’s easy if you try
The Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball brings a little taste of Heaven to those who need it most. At Saturday’s ball, where “Imagine” was the theme, the beautiful, 16 year old Marina Diez, gave a poignant speech, detailing the thrill of having her wish to go to Wimbledon fulfilled and explained what having a wish granted means to a sick child.

No hell below us
Just a vibrating, dance floor to the sounds of DJ Irie, who packed the dance floor before dinner. Guests showed no intention of sitting down until Lifetime Benefactor, Al Malnik, took the stage, almost an hour behind schedule. DJ Joe Dert’s music had the same effect at the Make-A-Wish Nightclub, until about 3:00 a.m.

Above us only sky-
Lucy in the Sky that is, along with giant jellyfish, an enormous lobster and a host of other characters from Octopus’ Garden, which paraded around, and escorted guests into the ballroom.

Imagine all the people-
More than 800, having a blast, including Florida Governor Charlie Crist along with wife, Carole; actress and live auction emcee, Pamela Anderson; tennis star, Venus Williams; retired NBA player, Scottie Pippen and wife Larsa; director, Brett Ratner; Market America founders, J.R. and Loren Ridinger; Lifetime Benefactors Al and Nancy Malnik; President of THE COLLECTION, Ken Gorin; Lady Monica Heftler; Southern Wine and Spirits’ Wayne Chaplin and wife Arlene; designer, Rene Ruiz; shoe designer, Donald Pliner and wife, Lisa; CEO of Greenberg Traurig, Cesar Alvarez; Latin pop star, Ana Cristina; director, Michael Bay and fashion designer, Richie Rich.
Living for today…
…One of the most fun days (nights) of the year, with performances by Beatlemania Now and Tokyo Diiva and a fashion show by Richie Rich and Pamela Anderson.

Imagine there are no countries, it isn’t hard to do
This is a tough one, with an A-list crowd of international jet-setters bidding on gift certificates to InterContinental Hotels worldwide, including Hong Kong, Rio, Shanghai Pudong, Madrid, Prague, Athens, Rome, London, Tahiti, Bangkok and Abu Dhabi to name a few.

Nothing to kill or die for-
Except for incredible auction items, such as the Ferrari California and St. Andrews and Punta Mitta trip, that went to James Ferraro, after a fierce battle.

And no religion too-
Just a shared mission of granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, providing ”hope, strength and joy.”

Imagine all the people, living life in peace…
Drinking, dancing, lobster, and Pamela Anderson, what’s there to fight about?

You may say I’m a dreamer
Or slightly delusional, when I describe the yellow submarine composed of thousands of balloons, the giant strawberries with dancing dudes, the carousel flanked with circus freaks, including the strong man and bearded lady, Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band or the bobble head Beatles, so please check-out my photos!

But I’m not the only one-
I’m in the company of some great folks, including: President/CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida, Norm Wedderburn; Ball Chairman, Shareef Malnik; InterContinental Miami’s recently appointed General Manager, Robert B. Hill; former GM, Jack Miller; Lifetime Benefactors, Al and Nancy Malnik; Grand Benefactors, Stanley and Gala Cohen; Founding Benefactors, Howard and Barbara Glicken; Wish Star Benefactor, James L. Ferraro; Wish Benefactors, Harvey and Roberta Chaplin; Stuart A. Miller, of Lennar Corporation; Robert Press, of Trafalgar Capital Advisors; Principals of Tara, Ink., Tara Solomon, and Nick D’Annunzio; Gil Dezer from The Apprentice, Edward Freedman, Founder/CEO of Total Merchants; football star, Bernie Kosar; Craig Robbins, CEO/President of Dacra Development; David Siegel, President of Westgate Resorts; Deco Drive’s Louis Aguirre; attorney, L. Robert Elias; Dr. Lenny Hochstein, David Grutman, Michael Dreiling, Rich Santelises, Aaron Resnick, Matt Heien, Suzy Buckley, Jacquelynn Powers, Jose Ortiz, Jamie Jo Harris, Jeffrey and Yolanda Berkowitz and Yannick and Hadley Henriette, to name a few.

I hope someday you’ll join us-
Save the date: next year’s gala is November 6, 2010.

And the world will be as one.

Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can-
Not at this gala, with over 140 auction items from top hospitality, entertainment, fashion and luxury brands, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Ocean Reef Club, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Lines and Christian Dior.

No need for greed or hunger-
Done- lobster, lamb chops sushi, stone crabs, and steaks!

A brotherhood of man-
Current and former nightlife impresarios came together, such as Michael Capponi, Shareef Malnik, Eric Milon, Hardy Hill, Nicola Siervo, Antonio Misuraca, Tommy Pooch and Alan Roth; as did publications such as Ocean Drive, 944, Florida International Magazine and newcomer, Miami Pop.

Imagine all the people… sharing-all the world…
Thanks to the sponsors, organizers and attendees, this year’s gala raised over $1, 000,000.

You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one-
To date, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida has granted 1, 700 wishes.

Take my hand and join us-
How about today? Make a donation to: www.sfla.wish.org.

And the world will live as one.

RPAF Staff and Board Host a Benefit Dinner Party and Arts Day for Youth, March 12th 2004.  This two-part event consisted of an intimate dinner for thirty guests, and an after party. Both events were held at Tsunami in West Palm Beach. In addition to Rush Philanthropic, other beneficiaries included two local Palm Beach Charities: the Armory Art Center and Music Outreach Entertainment.

This event was made possible by the generosity and hard work of board member Shamin Abas and her husband Frank. In addition to Shamin and Frank, the event was co-hosted by Robert Johnson, Al and Nancy Malnik, Joseph Simmons, Donald Trump, and Russell and Kimora. The evening provided a perfect, intimate setting for friends of Rush to spend time together, and enjoy some warm weather. Guests included Phyllis Hollis, Brett Ratner, Morris and Jaci Reid, David Rosenberg, Roberta Shields, Ben Vereen, and Serena Williams, among others.

The following day, Russell and Rev. Run visited the kids from both organizations at an arts day held at the the Armory Arts Center. As you might imagine, the young people were all too excited to spend time with them. Shamin, Phyllis, and RPAF staff were all on hand to meet the youth and help them with art making.

The Cole twins, Timolin and Casey of Boca Raton, daughters of legendary Nat King Cole, have established Nat King Cole Generation Hope, Inc., a non-profit foundation to benefit music education in schools in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

The Gala was chaired by philanthropist and international financier Alvin Malnik and his wife Nancy Malnik. The Forge, a Miami Beach restaurant and bar, has served as the institution of elegance and taste and was founded by Alvin Malnik in 1968 now owned by his son Shareef Malnik. The historic landmark and American icon has been the home of great music events throughout the years including performances by Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.

The Gala featured visits from celebrity guests and star-studded entertainment including a performance by Siedah Garrett and 11 time Grammy nominated songwriter and producer Dennis Lambert. DJ Irie, a 2007 BET Award nominee and winner of Miami New Times’ 2005 Best Club DJ, lent his award winning musical talent during the cocktail reception and the After Party at the Glass bar inside The Forge. Guests included some of today’s hottest entertainers, the Cole Family and friends.

The Cole twins launched the Foundation after learning of budget cuts in South Florida public schools. The Foundation was created to provide funding for music education to children of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and diversities, including music instrument instruction, music composition and songwriting, technical instruction in the recording arts, music instruments and equipment, and music related seminars and field trips.

“Our father was a pioneer and music legend who transcended color and race. During his lifetime, the arts were an integral part of the educational curriculum; today’s youth are art starved,” said Timolin Cole. “By enriching students with the opportunity to enhance their musical talents and abilities, his legacy lives on.”

Twin sister Casey Cole added, “We believe our father, by right, has earned his place in history as a true American hero and legend through his contributions to the world of music. We hope that through the funds raised we can help inspire a new generation of youth through the power of music.”

Nat King Cole was one of the most popular singers ever to hit the American charts. A brilliant recording and concert artist during the 40s, 50s, and 60s, he attracted millions of fans around the world with a sensitive and caressing singing voice that was unmistakable. Cole had a rare blend of technical musical knowledge and sheer performing artistry topped off with an abundance of showmanship. In the 23 years that he recorded with Capitol Records, he turned out hit after amazing hit – nearly 700 songs – all the while managing to remain a gentle, tolerant and gracious human being.

Cole’s first mainstream vocal hit was his 1943 recording of one of his compositions, “Straighten Up and Fly Right,” based on a black folk tale that his father had used as a theme for a sermon. Johnny Mercer invited him to record it for the fledgling Capitol Records label. It sold over 500,000 copies, proving that folk-based material could appeal to a wide audience. Although Cole would never be considered a rocker, the song can be seen as anticipating the first rock and roll records. Indeed, Bo Diddley, who performed similar transformations of folk material, counted Cole as an influence.

Beginning in the late 1940s, Cole began recording and performing more pop-oriented material for mainstream audiences, often accompanied by a string orchestra. His stature as a popular icon was cemented during this period by hits such as “The Christmas Song” (Cole recorded that tune four times: on June 14, 1946, as a pure Trio recording, on August 19, 1946, with an added string section, on August 24, 1953, and in 1961 for the double album The Nat King Cole Story; this final version, recorded in stereo, is the one most often heard today), “Nature Boy” (1948), “Mona Lisa” (1950), “Too Young” (the #1 song in 1951),[3] and his signature tune “Unforgettable” (1951). While this shift to pop music led some jazz critics and fans to accuse Cole of selling out, he never totally abandoned his jazz roots; as late as 1956, for instance, he recorded an all-jazz album After Midnight. Cole had one of his last big hits two years before his death, in 1963, with the classic “Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer”, which reached #6 on the Pop chart.

In 1965, Nat King Cole died tragically of lung cancer. He was only 45. Nathaniel Adams Coles was born in Montgomery, Alabama on March 17, 1919. He was the son of Baptist minister, Edward James Coles, and mother, Perlina Adams, who sang soprano and directed the choir in her husband’s church. Cole grew up in Chicago, met and married a girl in New York named Maria Hawkins, who was from Boston. They had five children and lived in Hancock Park in Los Angeles.

NKC Generation Hope, Inc. has been established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in South Florida. Its officers are Timolin and Casey Cole, both of Boca Raton. Honorary Board Members are: Mrs. Nat King Cole of Ponte Vedre, Fla.; Ms. Natalie Cole and Ms. Carole Cole, both of Los Angeles; Mr. Jimmy Cefalo of Pittston, Pennsylvania; Mr. Colin Cowie of Los Angeles; Mr. Anthony C. Gruppo of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Jones of Los Angeles; Ms. Leslie Linder of West Palm Beach; Mr. and Mrs. Al Malnik of Palm Beach; Ms. Marylynne Stephan McGlone of Palm Beach; Ms.Holly Robinson and Mr. Rodney Peete, both of Los Angeles, Ms. Madelyn Savarick of Boca Raton; and Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Zimmerman also of Boca Raton.

To obtain more information on Nat King Cole Generation Hope, Inc., please visit: www.natkingcolefoundation.org