The annual Fashion Show Luncheon for the Make a Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada is one of Las Vegas’ premiere daytime philanthropic events – occurring annually, on the first Thursday in November, at Spago Las Vegas at the Forum Shops at Caesars.

This year, for the tenth anniversary, guests were treated to an especially tasty lunch (particularly Chef Eric Klein’s scrumptious Organic Chicken Pot Pie), as well as a presentation of the Fall/Winter 2011 Collection from Emilio Pucci (overseen by Sam Halawa – Director, Emilio Pucci Las Vegas, and Patricia Frankola – Assistant Manager, Emilio Pucci at Forum Shops).

As always, the day was made possible by the ceaseless work of Linda Richardson; but as a little wrinkle, I was tapped to be the emcee and the Wish Auctioneer.  Sharing the stage with me was Wish Child William, a precocious 5 year old triplet who’d been diagnosed with Wilm’s Tumor (a rare kidney cancer).  After meeting with William and his family, Wish Granters from Make-a-Wish took note of William’s interests in marine life, a “hotel on the water” and the animated film Toy Story.  So, after receiving the go-ahead from William’s doctors, the Wish Granters bestowed upon William’s family a weeklong California adventure, including visits to Disneyland and the Aquarium of the Pacific, as well as a stay on the historic Queen Mary, in Long Beach (apparently the Spruce Goose held no allure to the tot).  Mere weeks after returning from his Wish, William’s oncologist delivered positive test results to his family, and now the young whippersnapper is all abuzz about learning to dive – something he’s able to do with only one kidney.

The Wish Auction was a success, with a number of people buying Wishes for two, three, five and ten thousand dollars.  After the Wish Auction, I raffled-off a package that had been generously donated by Judith Ripka including a Judith Ripka Heart Prong Ring and a pair of Judith Ripka Double Eclipse Earrings, as well as a pair of VIP tickets to a fashion show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, in February, and a 4-day, 3-night stay at a New York luxury hotel.

The afternoon concluded with the raffle, called by Miss Linda, and her daughter Melissa Richardson Akkaway (whose new Beckley by Melissa collection is available at the Beckley Boutiques in Los Angeles and Las Vegas).  I actually won something, too (and I never win, at these things); a quartet of passes to the National Finals Rodeo and dinner at Lawry’s The Prime Rib.  I’m telling you: These folks really DO make wishes come true!

Make-a-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada
Click HERE for more information

Get into it!