BIG Wish Gala to Feature Rascal Flatts

BIG Wish Gala to Feature Rascal Flatts

Country music superstars Rascal Flatts will provide a private concert at the BIG Wish Silver Anniversary Gala celebration benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation(R) of Greater Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

The May 9 event on the 50-yard line of the famed Ohio Stadium at The Ohio State University is expected to draw more than 800 guests from the tri-state area and raise $1 million.

"Our Make-A-Wish chapter is the largest in the country in terms of territory served and wishes granted. It just made sense to celebrate our 25th Anniversary in a big way," remarked President and CEO Susan McConnell.

Two wish families from Kentucky will be featured at the event and several volunteers and supporters plan to make the trip to Columbus, according to Interim Executive Director Stephanie Verwys. We operate offices in Louisville and Lexington and grant approximately 100 wishes in Kentucky annually," she said.

"I'm very proud that the Louisville-based Orr Corporation has stepped up to be a major sponsor of the BIG Wish Gala. Their contribution will go a long way toward eliminating our backlog of 179 pending wishes," remarked Verwys. Clark "Bud" Orr serves on the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Kentucky Regional Advisory Board. "Bud's leadership, generosity and support over the years has made a tremendous impact on our growth as a region and our success as a Chapter."

The star-studded event will feature ESPN College Football Analyst Kirk Herbstreit and OSU Head Football Coach Jim Tressel, as well as wish children and their families. Colleen Marshall, a popular news anchor on the Columbus NBC affiliate, will host the event.

Guests will enjoy a gourmet dinner, a spectacular auction featuring priceless "grown up" wish experiences: playing a round of golf with Jack Nicklaus, sitting among the stars at the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion

Show, driving a Formula One racecar in Barcelona, Spain, and other unique packages.

"Since 1984, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana has granted more than 7,300 wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions," said McConnell. "To celebrate our silver anniversary, we will honor our wish families, supporters and volunteers with a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

"The BIG Wish is not your typical gala -- guests will see our mission in action in a very extraordinary way. Rascal Flatts' performance will, no doubt, be a shining moment!"

Major sponsors include Fifth Third Bank, Kahiki Foods, Kokosing, Medical Mutual of Ohio, NetJets and Trane Commercial Systems.

Corporate sponsorships and tickets to the BIG Wish Gala are still available. Individual tickets are available for $400 each; tables are available for $3,000-$10,000. Volunteers are needed May 2-8 for load in and set-up and load out and clean-up May 10-12.

To learn more, please visit www.BigWishGala.org or call (877) 206-WISH.

***Promotional tickets and media passes are not available.

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation(R)

The Make-A-Wish Foundation(R) of Greater Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana is celebrating 25 years of inspiring lives, one wish at a time. Since the first wish was granted in 1984, this chapter has granted more than 7,300 magical wishes. This milestone year, the Chapter will work to fulfill the wishes of a record-breaking 800 local children. There are so many ways that you can help create joyful moments for local wish children. Find out how at www.makeawishky.org.

CONTACT: Nancy Whetstone of the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Greater Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, +1-877-206-9474, +1-614-923-0555, +1-614-923-0573, nancyw@makeawishohio.org

/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- April 29/

Source: Make-a-Wish Foundation of Greater Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana

Web Site: http://www.makeawishky.org/
http://www.bigwishgala.org/

-------
Profile: intent