LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. — Make-A-Wish of Central and Northern Florida recently hosted its four-course interactive Dishes for Wishes dinner event at Polo Grill to raise funds to grant wishes for local children with life-threatening illnesses.
Attorneys Saralyn Abel Dorrill and Meghan O. Serrano, from the full-service business law firm Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP (www.SLK-Law.com), co-chaired the April 8 event, which raised sufficient funds to grant four wishes for local wish recipients to enjoy with their families.
“Our inaugural Dishes for Wishes proved to be a smashing success,” Dorrill said. “The flambe was flaming; everyone’s wine and martini glasses were raised; raucous laughter and conversation were rampant, and the silent auction was incredible. Most importantly, we raised enough funds to grant wishes to four children with life-threatening medical conditions to enjoy. Shumaker was very proud to help orchestrate and sponsor this event.”
Dishes for Wishes, which had a Bella Italiano theme, was the first of its kind in Manatee County. Each of the four courses was paired with wine, and guests participated in the cooking of the prepped and pre-measured ingredients at their table. The event also included an auction with numerous specialty items that capitalized on the cooking theme, including small high-end cooking appliances and fine cookware.
During the event, two local wish recipients and their mother shared their stories. Jenna Rose’s wish to go on a Disney cruise with her family came true two years ago. Her sister Jordan’s wish to have a dolphin encounter was made possible by Make-a-Wish of Central and Northern Florida as well.
About Make-A-Wish
Every 38 minutes, Make-A-Wish grants the wish of a child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition in the United States and its territories. We believe that a wish experience can be a game-changer. Make-A-Wish of Central and Northern Florida grants 285 wishes throughout 54 counties, and the Sarasota Region of Make-A-Wish of Central and Northern Florida serves Charlotte, Desoto, Hardee, Manatee and Sarasota counties. Through the wish process, Make-A-Wish is able to positively affect a child’s life and attitude towards medical treatment. A wish fulfilled has the power to work miracles.
About Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
Founded in 1925, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 245 lawyers and five offices in Toledo and Columbus, Ohio; Tampa and Sarasota, Fla.; and Charlotte, N.C. Shumaker is a premier provider of quality legal services. Whether it's commitment to clients or work in the community, involvement lies at the core of all of Shumaker’s initiatives.
Saralyn Abel Dorrill is board certified in real estate law and assists clients with real property transactions in Shumaker’s Sarasota office. Meghan O. Serrano is a partner with Shumaker’s litigation group in its Sarasota office.