Cowboy Ball 2009
The third annual Cowboy Ball was held on the evening of Friday, November 6, 2009 at Old Tucson Studios to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona. We had over 220 guests dressed in their finest cowboy gear. Most of them adorned cowboy hats, dusters, spurs, silver belt buckles, all kinds of boots, bolo ties and much more! The evening festivities featured passed wine and hors d’oeuvres, silent and live auctions, western performers dancing in the main square, a live stunt show, plated dinner, Can-Can show and a performance by the legendary country band Restless Heart. Fireworks lit up the night sky as our guests entered the Grand Palace. 6 southern Arizona wish kids were honored after dinner with a video highlighting their “trip to Old Tucson Studios” and featured each wish come true. Much fun was had by all!
How it all began…
The Cowboy Ball was envisioned and created by Roni Ziemba, Tanque Verde Ranch Meeting and Event Planner, in response to TVR’s desire to become more active in the Tucson community. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona was carefully chosen as the beneficiary because of the compelling mission, and the obvious drive of Molly Ankney, Director in southern Arizona. The partnership was inevitable, especially since TVR had been host to many previous wish kids who dreamed of becoming cowboys and cowgirls. The success of the 2007 and 2008 Cowboy Balls, and the subsequent increase in support, led to the newest partner – Old Tucson Studios. No longer able to host the growing numbers of ticket holders, the move to the larger venue, while keeping the original authentic western theme, made this new triad an unbeatable force in granting the wishes of kids in southern Arizona for years to come!
The Make-A-Wish Foundation
Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Foundation’s mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities. The Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in Arizona in 1980, after a little boy named Chris Grecious realized his heartfelt wish to become a police officer. Since its humble beginnings, the organization has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, reaching more than 197,000 children in our country. The Arizona Chapter has granted more than 3,700 wishes!
