On Saturday evening, Make-a-Wish Luxembourg raised a total of €20,900 at its 2nd annual gala, Havana Nights, held at the Parc Alvisse Hotel in Luxembourg-Dommeldange: this will enable 5 wishes to be fulfilled.
Almost 170 people attended the annual gala, paying €125 per ticket. The proceeds will enable 5 wishes to be fulfilled, with the money raised coming from both Live Auction items (8) as well as Silent Auction items (24), including a surprise item of “Breakfast for Two with Prime Minister Xavier Bettel” which went for €2,600 - bid by Cem and Tam Sibay. The highest bid in the Live Auction was for an original painting by Luxembourg artist Dan Neuhengen for €3,500 - bid by Make-A-Wish Luxembourg Board Member, Carole Miltgen. The most popular Silent Auction item was for two tickets for the Theatres de la Ville Luxembourg with 12 bids.
The Parc Hotel Alvisse had been transformed into the Tropicana night club of Old Havana, with vintage cars, palm trees, a cigar bar, casino tables and specialty cocktails. There also was much enthusiasm for the two vintage cars – 1957 Chevrolet Belairs – as they provided photo opportunities for the guests and created a nice Cuba-inspired environment. To keep up the Cuban theme, live entertainment was provided by Cuban band Son de Lux, DJ Luis, Salsa dancers Gilles Caviglia and his dance partner Nadege Karrenbauer, as well as Tony Reche and his partner, all of which were greatly enjoyed by all.
Marcel Hagendoorn (CEO & Executive Director, Make-A-Wish Luxembourg) and Peter Economides (Chair, Make-A-wish International) both addressed the event, as did Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel (by Video). Peter Economides stated "Make-A-Wish provides hope and optimism. For most children a wish is a dream. When a wish is fulfilled a child gets hope, and when they see the impossible can happen, the child understands that other things can happen. Often it helps their recovery. For many, it is the greatest day in his or her life. While approximately 27,000 wishes are granted per year, there are over 1 million children every year who have life threatening conditions, so less than 2% of wishes are able to be fulfilled for eligible children. Make-A-Wish appreciates all the volunteers and supporters who continue to help a child dream and fulfil their greatest wish."
Two special presentations were made at the event, with “The Marcel Hagendoorn Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service” being presented to Albert Wetz for his support in the Concour’s d’ Elegance, and Sylvie De Matos as Wish Granting Manager.
Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. A wish come true helps children feel stronger, more energetic, more willing and able to battle their life-threatening medical conditions. For many, the wish marks a turning point in the fight against their illnesses. That is why wishes matter. That is why we grant wishes.
Since its founding in 1980, Make-A-Wish celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, and has collectively granted more than 350,000 wishes around the world. Now present in nearly 50 countries on five continents, on average, a wish is granted every 22 minutes. Make-A-Wish is one of the top charities assuring most effective utilisation of funds. 87% of all donations go directly to the wishes of children.
Make-A-Wish Luxembourg was originated in November 2012, when Luxembourg became the 37th global affiliate. It has fulfilled 14 local wishes to date and has a goal of fulfilling 12 new wishes in 2016, with each wish costing an average of €4,000.
Photos by Artur Kurkowiak
