Make-A-Wish Hopes To Raise $1M At Sarasota Interactive Fundraiser

SARASOTA, FL — Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, based in Sarasota, hopes to raise $1 million Thursday evening at its 15th annual Cooking for Wishes fundraiser.

That goal would allow the organization to “grant the wish of every child” registered with that branch of Make-A-Wish, Taylor Marini, the southern Florida regional director, told Patch. Last year, the event raised $750,000.

There are a few last-minute tickets available for the event, an interactive cooking experience with executive chef Jamil Piñeda and Phil Mancini of Michael’s on East starting at 6 p.m. at the Circus Arts Conservatory.

All guests are walked through recipes and have the opportunity to cook at their tables, which are equipped with table burners.

“So, they get to go home with recipes they make that night and they truly have a lot of fun on top of granting wishes,” Marini said.

Even those who can’t attend the event can still support Make-A-Wish at the fundraiser by purchasing raffle tickets for various prizes.

Families whose lives have been impacted by Make-A-Wish will also share their stories with guests, including the family of a now 5-year-old girl that spent a week at Walt Disney World, and the family of a 16-year-old girl that is gearing up for a trip to Paris.

These experiences are integral to their recovery, according to Morini.

“A lot of people see Make-A-Wish as doing something nice for these kids, but we really feel their wish is a necessary part of their treatment plan," she said. "It gives these kids something to fight for, something to look forward to, some hope and joy in their treatment. Doctors tell us, when they come back from their fight, there’s a different drive in them, a different fight.”