A Night Of Wishes For Make-A-Wish

By Eliza Hallabeck

The tables were set at Roberto’s in Monroe on Friday, November 11, event goers were starting to drink Wish-tinis, Sandy Hook resident Lia Levitt was making her rounds speaking to guests, and the clock was ticking down to 11:11 pm.

The night was the culmination of imagination, work, and fundraising by Ms Levitt, who organized the 11-11 Wishes Come True Soirée in the hope of raising funds for The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut.

The idea for the event came from a family tradition of Ms Levitt’s, who says she often finds herself stopping to make a wish each time the clock reads 11:11.

“My 11:11 wish-making thing has been going on for as long as I can remember,” Ms Levitt told The Bee before the event. “My sister and I would look at each other at the radio in the car, or a clock radio, on any day, and make a point of making our wish. Now any time I see that time, any time people are around, I mention it out loud.”

Following the event, Ms Levitt said in her wildest dreams she hoped the event would raise $2,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. By Wednesday, November 16, Ms Levitt said her 11-11 Wishes Come True Soirée raised nearly $7,500, and the donations were still coming in.

All funds raised through ticket sales and the evening’s silent auction will be donated to The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut.

The silent auction included items from Adam Broderick Salon & Spa, Figs Wood Fired Bistro, Caron Designs, Dragonfly Designs, Ergo Chef, Goin’ with The Flow Massage, Illustrated Interiors, Leal Designs, McLaughlin Vineyard, Pizza Palace, Ricci’s Salon, Sabrina Style, and Trader Joe’s.

After the attending guests made their collective wish at 11:11, Ms Levitt said the night continued with an after-party at Pub 25 in Newtown.

“I love the idea of so many people being together to make a wish,” Ms Levitt said before the event. “Whether this is something that you already know about and do, or it’s something that is new to you, everyone will be making a wish together. This is epic, really.”

Ms Levitt said the night had an exceptional turnout, and she has been receiving positive feedback since. She also already thinking about participating with the Make-A-Wish Foundation again in the future.

“I feel I was successful in really branding a true event,” said Ms Levitt. She said the night came alive in the details, from the color coordination on the cake, made by Purdy Hill Bakery in Monroe, and balloons to the invitations sent out to guests.

Along with raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut, Ms Levitt said she is also proud of creating a brand for a first-time event.

Some of her favorite moments from the night included one of her close friends, Christina Lambe, flying in from Hawaii to attend the event, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut presenting her with a teddy bear as a gift for her grandmother, Anna Levitt, who was a source of support for Ms Levitt as she organized the 11-11 Wishes Come True Soirée.

Another highlight of the event for Ms Levitt, she said, was Lars van der Haegen, president of Belimo, the company she works for, donating $500 to the cause.

Ms Levitt said the event helped her make meaningful relationships with people throughout the community, like Sabrina Style owner Irene Caulfield, whose Sandy Hook store loaned Ms Levitt her red dress for the evening.

Another shining moment of the night, Ms Levitt said, was being presented with a customized snow globe from her friends.

Ms Levitt said she was blown away by the generosity and support she found in people, and is thankful to those who donated to the cause.

“It was absolutely beyond one of the best nights of my life,” Ms Levitt said.

Those who were unable to attend the soirée are invited to make a donation, which, like all proceeds from the November 11 event, will be donated directly to Make-A-Wish. Tax-deductible donations can be made online at http://friends.wish.org/054-000/page/Lia-Levitt/11-11-Wishes-Come-True-Soirée-.htm. Ms Levitt’s goal is to raise $8,500, which is, according to Make-A-Wish of Connecticut, the average cost of a wish granted to children between the ages of 2½ and 18 with life-threatening (not just terminal) illnesses.

For additional information on donating to the cause contact Ms Levitt at 203-947-5271.