"Uncork a Wish" Wine Tasting and Auction Hosted By Mario Lopez - The Dream That Keeps On Wishing

The winter never looked so bright for those attending Uncork a Wish Wine Tasting and Auction at The Beverly Hilton on Friday, December 2, 2011. Out for a night of wine accompanied by hors d’oeuvres from fifteen separate wineries and six restaurants, additional catering provided by The Beverly Hilton; guests were part of the magic of giving this holiday season.

Special event Uncork a Wish in participation with five week promotion "Season of Wishes" brought in the holidays with sole intent of creating a donation drive that will have a resounding impact throughout the community, hoping to grant over 375 wishes. Mario Lopez was not merely a figure head as host of Uncork a Wish; he personally interacted with each of the 'wish children' present, giving them his undivided attention and encouragement. From board members and President and CEO David Williams to fellow wish granters and makers, the V.I.P. section was full of corporate staff showing their support of L.A.’s established Make-a-Wish division.

Guests donating $200 per ticket had the honor of giving children suffering from terminal illnesses or life threatening conditions the chance to achieve a dream right outside their window in one of four categories... I wish to go… I wish to be… I wish to meet… I wish to have…The evening provided charitable attendees the chance to meet with Greater Los Angeles wish recipients; one of which is Noah Michaelis, an extremely resilient eight year old girl who dreamt of meeting the Kratt Brothers (creators and hosts of Kratts' Creatures and Zoboomafoo).

Conquering three rooms, the silent auction filled tables with hundreds of items available for bid. Included were sports packages, skateboard signed by Tony Hawk, jersey of Landon Donovan [with sig], numerous health, beauty, and jewelry gift donations amongst a variety of fine art, all inclusive stays at ski resorts, and three night packages in tropical locations. The biggest hits were tickets to America Idol and X-Factor finales. The live auction conducted by host Parker Williams included an inclusive all access pass to Mercedes’ Benz Fashion Show in New York and Green Bay Packers package. Grabbing the attention of audience bidders alike was Chef Jacques Van Staden’s donation of a 12 person four course dinner prepared personally, to which he generously supplied his new cookbook as well as two additional place settings. The chef flew in from Florida, taking his charitable persona a step further later in the evening, with a thousand dollars of his own. Donations given at Uncork a Wish were $ for $ matching (over $1000, $2 for every $1 donated).

Volunteers from all different social backgrounds got involved with the "Season of Wishes" special event, running donation activities and providing support; ‘Dear Santa’ letter drive sponsored by Macy’s, provided $1 for every letter written to Santa by guests to Make-a-Wish of Greater Los Angeles.

Perhaps the best story is that the wish is not the last granted. Make-a-Wish inspires a lifelong motivation for these children, demonstrating that they have the power to survive, and that there are many dreams worth seeing fulfilled. Taylor Carol, through love and support of organizations such as Make-a-Wish, is now active in charities himself through his developed voice talent, a granted dream of Make-a-Wish Foundation. Performing “Impossible Dreams” live for the audience truly demonstrated what this organization is trying to do and who they are trying to help. If there is one thing to be known about these children, it is that they do not carry the mentality of being victims of their disease or illnesses. Uncork a Wish celebrated the strength and dreams of children keeping hope alive whilst battling some of the most difficult challenges any human being ever has to face. For more information on how to help this remarkable organization, please visit Make-a-Wish of Greater Los Angeles.