Country Artist Phil Vassar and Studio Tenn perform to Grant Wishes and Raise Funds for Middle Tennessee Wish Kids

Phil Vassar performs for Make A Wish Foundation 2019 photo credit Donn On Photography
Stars for Wishes on January 19, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photos by Donn Jones.

Make-A-Wish® Middle Tennessee’s seventh annual Stars for Wishes presented by Crowe raised more than $350,000.The event took place last Saturday at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. Hosted by wish kids Lily Paris and Kayden Waddy, the evening included a headlining performance by Phil Vassar, special musical numbers from Studio Tenn and a delicious meal from Chef Tony Galzin of Nicky’s Coal Fired.

“What an incredible night!” said Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee President and CEO, Beth Torres. “It takes a community of support like Crowe and our other sponsors, Phil Vassar, Studio Tenn, Chef Tony Galzin and tonight’s guests to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We know that wishes have the power to give sick children the mental and physical strength they need to fight their condition. Right now, more than 200 local children are waiting for their wishes. We are incredibly grateful to all the donors, wish families and performers who came together to raise more than $350,000 for wish kids in Middle Tennessee.”

Over 400 guests began their evening with a silent auction including nearly 200 items donated by individuals and local organizations. Attendees then enjoyed a four-course meal created by renowned Chef Tony Galzin of Nashville’s Nicky’s Coal Fired.

Cast members of Studio Tenn’s most recent production of Beauty and the Beast performed numbers from the show. One song even featured Wish Kid Tarin. Country star Phil Vassar treated guests to an intimate concert. Flight Solutions sponsored this year’s Stars for Wishes entertainment.

Throughout the evening, guests heard touching stories about the powerful impact wishes can have on sick kids and their families. During the program, the audience was able to send a special message to Wish Kid Sabrina. Although Sabrina was sick and could not make it to the event, guests recorded a video announcing her trip to Walt Disney World® Resort is coming true

Stars for Wishes on January 19, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photos by Donn Jones.

Brentwood’s Lily Paris, 14, battled osteosarcoma and wished to meet the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 2015. After she beat cancer, she had to fight an infection in her leg that ultimately led to having her leg amputated above her knee. Lily overcame incredible odds with her good humor and strong will still intact.

Antioch’s Kayden Waddy, 11, wished to attend Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Kayden is the only person in Middle Tennessee diagnosed with CLOVES syndrome. His extremely rare condition requires numerous treatments—including surgeries and hospital visits in Cincinnati and Boston. Kayden continues his daily battle with CLOVES, but he stays strong and keeps a good attitude.

Stars for Wishes presented by Crowe was made possible with support from Crowe, Flight Solutions, Summit Financial, Prevost, Experient, HCA Healthcare and TriStar Health, Hemphill Brothers Coach Company, the Tennessee Titans, Amanda & Thomas Beck, the McNally Family and RPR Insurance.

About Make-A-Wish® Middle Tennessee:  Make-A-Wish® Middle Tennessee creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are on a quest to bring every eligible child’s wish to life, because a wish is an integral part of a child’s treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. Make-A-Wish is the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization, serving children in every community in the United States and in 50 countries worldwide. Together, generous donors, supporters, staff and 200+ volunteers in Middle Tennessee, grant a wish every 34 minutes, on average, somewhere in the country. Since 2000, Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee has granted more than 1,700 wishes to children in from the Tennessee River to the Cumberland Plateau. For more information about Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee, visit middletennessee.wish.org.

Photos By: Donn Jones Photography

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