All For The Good Blog

From November 18, 2005

11th Annual InterContinental Ball For The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southern Florida

This year’s gala was a huge success, shattering all previous records in attendance, celebrity guests, and, most importantly funds raised for those in need. More than $700,000 can now be used to grant the wishes of 141 children in South Florida living with life-threatening medical conditions.

The 2005 Ball Chairman, Shareef Malnik, owner of The Forge restaurant in Miami, emceed alongside “Apprentice” alumni Katrina Campins and Bradford Cohen. Al Malnik and his wife Nancy were honored as Lifetime Benefactors. Special Guest Honorees were music and fashion icons Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons, joined by tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, model Marcus Schenkenberg, boxing promoter Don King, and Charles Koppelman, Chairman of Martha Stewart Living. Celebrities also included Florida Marlin Jeff Conine, Miami Dolphin Sam Madison, Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell, and Miami fashion designer Rene Ruiz.

Guests enjoyed music by DJ Cassidy during the cocktail hour while they mingled and toured the silent auction (more than 150 packages which included fashionable designer names, plus InterContinental Hotel stays in Bali, Paris, Cairo, Athens, Amstel, New York, and London, among others). For the Live Auction, Kimora Lee Simmons joined fellow auctioneers Lee Schrager and Shareef Malnik, encouraging guests to bid. Auction items included tennis lessons with Venus and Serena; trips to France and Chile courtesy of Southern Wine & Spirits and American Airlines; a walk-on role in Brett Ratner’s next movie, Rush Hour 3; the newly introduced Aston Martin V8 Vantage courtesy of The Collection; a date with Schenkenberg; a $50,000 membership to Casa Casaurina, plus items from Bvlgari and Rene Ruiz Couture. Ending the evening with a bang, international recording artist Wyclef Jean performed some of his greatest hits.

The night was a true success thanks to InterContinental Miami General Manager Jack Miller, special guests, generous donors, dedicated volunteers, and Platinum Sponsor Premier Beverage Company, who all helped to make this the highest grossing fundraiser in Make-A-Wish history! Be a part of the magic at next year’s 12th Annual Intercontinental Ball.

2007 – Ocean Drive Magazine offers a look at those who make Miami one of the world’s most important and magical cities! Here is a sample of their selections. View the complete list here

ALEX RODRIGUEZ
Celebrated New York Yankees third baseman and favorite Cuban- American who keeps a winter nest in Miami. Here, with Jay-Z.

ALONZO MOURNING
Miami Heat star who has long been a charitable powerhouse with Zo’s Summer Groove. Here, with wife Tracy.

ANTHONY SHRIVER
Kennedy heir and charitable ambassador for Best Buddies International, which he founded in 1989. Here, with megadeveloper Donald Trump.

JORGE PEREZ
Developer who enhanced the South Florida skyline, here with wife Darlene and former President Bill Clinton.

LENNY KRAVITZ
Iconic rocker and songwriter—not to mention designer and fashion plate—who injected an extra dose of star power to Miami.

MICKY ARISON
Carnival Corporation CEO and Miami Heat owner who has always been extremely involved in the community. Here, with Heat DJ Irie.

ROY BLACK AND SHAREEF MALNIK
Left: A-list attorney and television commentator with a history of celebrated trials. Right: Owner of The Forge restaurant, a Miami Beach capital of the good life for 40 years.

SHAQUILLE O’NEAL
Basketball legend and Miami Heat star who has brought his outsized appeal to the Magic City. Here, with nightlife promoter Linley Edwards.

DON SOFFER & ALVIN MALNIK
Aventura visionary and Turnberry developer (far right) who created much of north Dade County. Here, with boxer Lennox Lewis and Nancy and Al Malnik, founder of The Forge.

Al and Nancy Malnik hosted a star-studded event at their legendary Miami Beach restaurant, The Forge. Guests included Nat’s daughters, Timolin and Casey Cole, as well as Siedah Garret and actor Kyle McLaughlin.

The event took place amidst a beautiful night sky with an exclusive crowd from Miami to Palm Beach. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres flowed freely in the restaurant’s courtyard before guests retreated to the private ballroom for an “Unforgettable” duet of petite filet with chanterelle mushroom sauce and Tuscan grilled salmon in with cucumber dill sauce.

Photos by Hellmund

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida held the 2009 InterContinentalMiami Make-A-Wish Ball Garden Party, a private cocktail reception for 200 of South Florida’s leading philanthropists. The intimate gathering was held at the private Palm Beach area estate of lifetime benefactors Al and Nancy Malnik and was the first event of the year in honor of the highly anticipated annual ball.

“We are very fortunate to have such dedicated individuals in attendance year after year, whose support has proven as strong as ever in these hard economic times,” states Shareef Malnik, Gala Chair of InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball.

Guests at the garden party included Norman Wedderburn, President/CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida; Jack Miller, General Manager of InterContinental Miami and Gala Host of the IC Miami MAW Ball; Shareef Malnik, owner of The Forge restaurant and returning Gala Chair of the IC Miami MAW Ball; James Ferraro, of The Ferraro Law Firm and Wish Benefactor of the IC MAW Ball. Special celebrity guests included designer and 2008 IC Miami MAW Ball Nightclub’s fashion show host Richie Rich, champion boxer Bernard Hopkins and burgeoning singer/songwriter Jamie Jo Harris. Guests mingled oceanside and enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and live entertainment by The King’s Academy Jazz Band and Choir.