$2 Million Gift Announced at Wish Night

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 2, 2007) - - The Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation announced that it was the beneficiary of a $2 million dollar bequest from donor Frances Thieriot, the largest in the history of the Foundation, at its Wish Night fundraising gala on Friday, Nov. 2, at The Beverly Hills Hotel.

During the presentation of the "Frances Thieriot Visionary Award," in honor of Ms. Thieriot's remarkable generosity, she was said to have been a "silent supporter" since 2002, refusing any recognition while fulfilling between one and three wishes annually with her donations during that time.

Manny Mashouf, chairman and founder of bebe Stores, Inc., received the Individual Wish Granter Award from wish recipient Hallie Farrant, 19, for his dedicated support of the Foundation. Mashouf is a recent addition to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles Ambassador Board and has contributed toward the wish-granting mission by granting the wish of Kate Lynne Pegg, 16, of Fall River, MA, at the Make-A-Wish Foundation Holiday Fashion Show presented by bebe in October. He has also made donations in support of the Uncork A Wish Wine Tasting and Auction fundraiser, including a one-of-a-kind dress design for auction.

My Name Is Earl television program creator Greg Garcia and the show's cast received the Entertainment Industry Wish Award from wish child Danielle Barrios, 12, who received a wish to be an actress in an episode of the television show. Their collective role as wish granters adds to the fundraising work they have already done for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, through conducting several major fundraising campaigns and promoting them on national television.

Nancy Cartwright received the Wish Icon Award from wish child Christian Pierce, 8, for her tremendous dedication to the Foundation's fundraising and wish-fulfillment efforts. Cartwright was honored for donating hand-painted artwork, signed scripts, and table readings for nearly 15 years, some of which she helped auction off personally at the Uncork A Wish Wine Tasting and Auction Fundraiser. In addition, in her role as the voice of Bart Simpson, she participated in the fulfillment of numerous amazing wish experiences. The Wish Icon Award was established in 2006 to honor the extraordinary support singer Mariah Carey provided to the Foundation.

Adding a special note to the evening, musical icon and Make-A-Wish Foundation supporter Micky Dolenz got the crowd dancing with hits such as "I'm a Believer" and "Last Train to Clarksville," from his 1960s musical group and television show, The Monkees.

Emcee for the evening was Joel McHale, widely known as the hilarious star of E! Entertainment Network's television program The Soup.

Sponsors for the evening's event included The Walt Disney Company, which granted its first wish for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 1980, and continues to fulfill over 6,000 wishes each year. Over the past 27 years, The Walt Disney Company has been a generous supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the children that it serves, annually contributing more than $10 million in cash and in-kind donations. This year, Disney will once again show their tremendous support of the Los Angeles community as the Premiere Sponsor of the Foundation's A Season of Wishes campaign.

Additional sponsors were Mattel, Wilson & Wong Trading Company, Westfield, 20th Century Fox/Fox Broadcasting Co., The Capital Group Companies, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, Wells Fargo, and Tim and Vanessa Helfet.

The Wish Night Awards Gala has been named one of the top 100 events in Southern California by Biz Bash magazine. The event recognizes those individuals and businesses that provide exemplary support to the chapter. The gala also serves as a fundraiser to allow the chapter to fulfill the wishes of children in the greater Los Angeles community who have life-threatening medical conditions and qualify for a wish. Past Wish Night celebrity honorees have included: Halle Barry, Brad Garrett, Nick Lachey, Luc Robitaille, David Foster, Eric McCormack, Penny Marshall, and Mariah Carey.