27-55-metroSCENE-BLACK-5.13_EVENTS 4/22/13 4:13 PM Page 35
Below photos courtesy of Make-a-Wish
betterin BlUEJEAnS make-a-wish nebraska BLUE JEAN BALL
HN NELSON SUSIE AND JO “POP STAR” WISH KID, CAYDEN
DAWN MCINTOSH, LISA KETCHAM, MICHELE MARTIN, BRIGETTE YOUNG AND SHERI ABRAMSON
Make-A-Wish Nebraska’s Blue Jean Ball drew more than 350 people and raised a record $275,000 to support granting wishes for Nebraska children with life-threatening medical conditions at its 15th annual event, on April 6, at the Mutual of Omaha Dome. Dawn McIntosh was event chair for this special 30th anniversary celebration, John and Susie Nelson served as honorary chairs, and KMTV’s Jennifer Griswold served as the event’s emcee. The event featured silent and live auctions, a raffle for 2 tickets to every College World Series game, and an elegant but casual dinner of beef tenderloin and salmon. Highlights of the evening included a special performance from “pop star” wish kid Cayden and wish kid, Hope, sharing her journey with attendees.
SANDY EPSTEIN, PAM WEEKLY, PAULA BLACKLEDGE
RORY KAIN, JULIE KAIN, DAN CLOYD, DAWN CLOYD AND BRIGETTE YOUNG
JOHN VYHLIDAL, SANDIE VYHLIDAL AND HOPE WEBER WITH WISH KID GUEST SPEAKER CARRIE WEBER
JENNIFER GRISWOLD, ANDY STEINGAS AND ASHLEE PITZEL
A surprise appearance at the end of the evening by over 120 wish kids and their families thanking supporters topped off an inspiration-filled evening. “It was great to see everything and everyone come together,” said Michele Martin, Friends Council President. “It was so inspiring to hear Hope’s story and see Cayden perform. And when the wish families flooded the venue, it was beyond moving. It put into perspective exactly who the event was benefitting.” “The Blue Jean Ball is our largest fundraiser of the year,” said Brigette Young, President of Make-A-Wish Nebraska. “And with more than 130 children currently in various stages of the wish granting process, we are extremely grateful for the generous support of everyone involved.” The Title Sponsor for the event was Silverstone Group, the Dinner Sponsors were ConAgra Foods and Mutual of Omaha, the Silent Auction Sponsor was Valmont Industries, and the Raffle Sponsor was HDR, Inc.. Other top sponsors included Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Great Western Bank, HM Insurance GroupOmaha Office, Lamp, Rynearson & Assoc., OPPD and Wells Fargo Bank. For more information, visit www.nebraska.wish.org or call 333-8999.
BRIAN KETCHAM, LISA KETCHAM, VIRGINIE JUHEL AND ERIC JUHEL
LEWIS & CLARK CHEERLEADERS
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metroMagazine • MaY 2013
Photography by Dan Flanigan