The Charmer Sunbelt Group hosted the eighth annual Wine and Wishes wine auction and tasting on March 30 at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, in New York. The event, which benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York, raised more than $600,000. More than 700 wine and food enthusiasts enjoyed both live and silent auctions, specialty wines from nearly 40 wineries, and delicious food from 25 of New York’s top restaurants and caterers.

“This is a record fundraising result for Wine and Wishes,” said Charles Merinoff, chairman and CEO of The Charmer Sunbelt Group, “and on behalf of all the children we help, I want to thank all our sponsors, those that donated goods and services, and all who generously bid on auction items.”

 “Thanks to the tireless efforts of Charles Merinoff and his Charmer Sunbelt Group team, Wine and Wishes is an established, can’t-miss event for New York wine and food lovers who support our cause,” said Pat Clemency, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York. “We are so pleased that more than $600,000 was raised, which will allow us to grant the wishes of more than 60 children in need.”

Attendees enjoyed the inspiring story of wish-recipient Danielle, who conveyed the impact of a wish-come-true on her and her family. Her speech spoke of the power of the wish experience for children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions and their families.

Over the past eight years, Wine and Wishes has raised close to $4 million. The event was hosted by Chris Wragge, co-anchor of CBS’ “The Early Show,” news anchor Mary Calvi and weatherman Lonnie Quinn. The event’s sponsors included Diageo, CBS2-HDTV, Gotham magazine, and American Airlines.