Make-A-Wish Arizona Raises $3 Million at Wish Ball

The 2018 Wish Ball raised approximately $3 million, including a combined $1.5 million donation from Bob and Renee Parsons and The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The funds will help Make-A-Wish Arizona grant 300 future wishes to local children facing serious medical conditions.

Jill Krigsten Riley and Mari Lederman co-chaired the sold-out March 23 gala at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort and Spa. A thousand guests turned out for the black-tie affair, which was themed “A Wish Come True.”

Make-A-Wish Arizona honored Renee Parsons at the ball. Parsons has played a critical role in the growth of the chapter over the past six years as a member of the board of directors. During her speech, Parsons pledged $1 million from The Bob & Renee Parson Foundation toward future wishes. The Parsons donated an additional $300,000 from the foundation later in the event and $200,000 personally during the live auction. The Parsons have gifted more than $9 million to Make-A-Wish Arizona, including the donation of The Parsons Wish House, which more than tripled the organization’s physical space.

The evening included a wish kid moment, silent and live auctions, and musical entertainment. Several wish families were in attendance to speak with guests about the transformational power of a wish. Phusion Projects was the presenting sponsor.

PHOTOS BY LOREN ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY AND BLISSFUL BRUNETTE PHOTOGRAPHY, COURTESY MAKE-A-WISH-ARIZONA

Fun on the dance floor  BLISSFUL BRUNETTE PHOTOGRAPHY

Alan and Frances Hall with Elizabeth Reich, president and CEO Make-A-Wish-Arizona, and Gene and Linda Paulings  BLISSFUL BRUNETTE PHOTOGRAPHY

Brad and Amy Vynalek with Nicole and Dan Johnson  LOREN ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Stephanie and Brent Linnenkamp

Catherine Anaya and Doug Saunders  LOREN ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY; Renee Parsons with Wish Kid Raiden  YEUNG PHOTOGRAPHY

Clive and Janet Cussler  BLISS BRUNETTE PHOTOGRAPHY

Elizabeth Flemming with son, Wish Kid Raiden, and Col. Frank Milstead, director of Arizona DPS  LOREN ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Jay Petkunas and Ian Lopatin  LOREN ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Katie Wilson and Brett Tremaine  BLISSFUL BRUNETTE PHOTOGRAPHY

Kevin Donahue and Mike Fitch with Wish Kid Michael  BLISSFUL BRUNETTE PHOTOGRAPHY

Linda and Tom Abbott; Mike and Janine Yates with Wish Kid Harrison Merrill

Make-A-Wish founder Linda Pauling with Wish Kid Charlotte  LOREN ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY 

Martha Solomon, Polly Jarman, Todd Jarman, Wish Kid Hannah Solomon and Leliland Solomon  LOREN ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Phusion Projects, Wish Ball presenting sponsor  LOREN ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Jessica and RJ Suzuki; Wish Kid Christian with his brother, Anthony and mother, Brenda  LOREN ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Wish Kid Michael on the dance floor  BLISSFUL BRUNETTE PHOTOGRAPHY

Wish Kid Hannah Solomon on stage with Catherine Anaya  LOREN ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

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