ST. LOUIS — It was a star-studded party with a purpose Sunday, Nelly’s 11th Nelly’s Black and White Ball took over the Four Seasons Hotel, all for a good cause.
Proceeds this year went to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and to scholarships for Harris Stowe State University.
“Make-A-Wish is the best," Nelly said. "I mean listen we all have our personal foundations but when you think about Make A Wish in theory, what could be better and they’ve done such phenomenal work for who knows how many years they’ve always welcomed Nelly and we’ve always worked well together.”
At the ball, they granted two wishes to local families.
“Most people think a wish isn’t necessary. A wish is absolutely necessary," Make-A-Wish Foundation COO Stephanie Hampton-Boeglin said. "It helps not only the physical strength of the family, but the mental strength as well and it gives them something to look forward to."
The Warner family has been granted three wishes for three of their kids who all have sickle cell disease, one wish was a visit to Disney World.
Mom Kamara Warner said each diagnosis was a big strain on their family.
“It’s pretty difficult. I’ve seen them miss a lot of things, not being able to participate sometimes, just having some restrictions but each of their wishes there were definitely no restrictions there,” Warner said.
Each wish is full of love so that families can get through the toughest times.
“It’s about Hope for our children and the support that only gives our organization is profound. We can’t do it alone so it takes a community and it really does provide that hope, strength and joy,” Hampton-Boeglin said.
Nelly said he’s watched the foundation change lives.
“Small thing for us but a big thing for the kids and any time you have that type of scenario you gotta go with it,” Nelly said.
Make-A-Wish is granting its 10,000th wish this year and roughly 600 children are waiting for a wish each year.
You can donate to make it happen here.