Wish Ball 2014 - Part 1: The Walkthrough

Location: Soldier Field

Date: Monday, April 28, 2014; 6:00-7:00 pm

I cannot believe that a year has gone by.  I really can’t.  It seems like yesterday that I was at the ‘Wish Ball’ for 2013.  Last year I had mentioned to Julie, the volunteer leader that I would do anything it takes to be appointed a ‘Wish Ambassador Escort’.  These are the lucky few who get to accompany a ‘Wish Child’ throughout the early part of the program.  I had told her that I would remind her every day of the year, till I got the job; but of course I was exaggerating.  So imagine my surprise when I got an email saying that I had been selected as one of the 6 who would get to accompany the kids.  I got an email regarding the child that I would be escorting, and his name was Lucas.  He was 16 years old and his wish had been to visit the ‘Cubs’.  Our job during the ball would be to walk around and sell raffle tickets. I told Julie that we would outsell all others!  Yes, this was going to be extra special.

We were at 'Soldier Field'

As with last year, they wanted us to attend one of the 3 walkthrough’s of the site – ‘Soldier Field’ – prior to the event and I had selected this evening.  I arrived at ‘Soldier Field’ on a gloomy evening with rain in the air.  The theme for this year was sports or “Where wishes play”.  That’s why we were at this venue and all of the 6 kids who had been invited had sports related wishes.  I was let in through a gate and went inside to see that many volunteers had already assembled, including a few that I recognized from last year.  There were also several MAW staff members, including Julie, and I thanked her for selecting me to accompany Lucas.

I signed-in and as we waited, I chatted with some of the other volunteers and we agreed that with this venue, it was going to be an exciting evening.  The meeting was called to order and we received a handout which summarized the ‘Wish Ball’ evening’s activities, including VIP reception, which I would get to attend since that’s a major hot spot to sell the raffle tickets; silent auction, dinner and finally the after party.  Seth Meyer was going to be the guest emcee and MAW was hoping to raise a lot of money during the evening.

Next we went on a walking tour of the facility, starting at level ‘C1’, where registration was going to be.  Julie went over the various duties for people stationed on this floor.  She has been running this event for a long time and really knows how to command attention and delegate duties in a clear and concise manner.  We then walked up to the playing field and saw the the 50-yd line where the tent's going to be.  It’s funny that the only other time I have been on the field was for the ‘Autism Walk’ the day of last year’s ‘Wish Ball’.  We then went to level 'C3' where the ‘Silent Auction’ was going to be held and saw the historic outer section of ‘Soldier Field’.  People forget that this is not just a football stadium, but there is a whole building that surrounds the playing area. 

The dining area which would eventually be transformed

We came back to Level 'C1' and saw the dining area, which looked barren, but I had no doubt that it would be transformed magically on the day of the event.  Because this is a stadium and not a grand ballroom, the areas are longer, but narrower and I am very interested in seeing how it looks when all done.   The walkthrough was over and I thanked Julie before leaving.  I said that I had been promoted from my position as a coat check person last year, though there was no requirement for a suit at this year’s event. She was nonchalant about it, saying that she likes to rotate people; but I’m sure she assigned me because I had lobbied.  In any case, it is a huge honor.  Only 6 volunteers of the 130 have been chosen to accompany the ‘Wish Kids’.  I am one lucky person.