ON THE TOWN

Charity events raised millions in 2017

1/13/2018
BY BARBARA HENDEL
BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR
  • HOLLY-Dudes-jpg

    Mark and Michael Kersey at the ProMedica Flower Hospital Auxiliary Holly and Ivy Holiday Fashion Show at Inverness Club.

  • PARTIES with a purpose were prevalent this past year.

    Thanks to the people who made a difference by hosting or attending an event for charity. The total amount raised from events reported in this column in 2017 was more than $9.4 million. That doesn't include capital campaigns or all of the generous donors and volunteers behind the scenes. Thank you all for supporting our community.

    Here are a few events held amid the holiday rush:

    PENTA Career Center's annual Scholarship Dinner and Silent Auction, themed "It’s VEGAS!,” raised more than $28,000 for the Culinary Scholarship, the Hirzel Family Scholarship, and Penta’s general scholarship fund.

    About 318 guests dined at gourmet food stations on appetizers, entrees, and desserts prepared by students from Penta’s three culinary arts labs. Mmm. A raw bar, ahi tuna tacos, smoked salmon, barbecued ribs, beef Wellington, risotto, bacon, and cheesecake stations, and more were on offer. Penta instructional chefs Janea Makowski, Sarah Sadlier, Jim Rhegness, and Ken Ray, plus instructional aides Austin Halterman and Tricia Winter, were all on hand for guidance.

    A silent auction included included a Las Vegas hotel stay, restaurant and entertainment certificates, and more, including a $1,500 diamond ring donated by David Cameron of Broer-Freeman Jewelers.

    DELEGATE Jean-Francois Hould, representative of the Quebec, Canada, government to the American Midwest, was the honored guest at the L’Alliance Francaise de Toledo’s annual cassoulet dinner at Georgio’s Cafe International. Mr. Hould, a former chief of staff of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the French-speaking province, said, “When you think of Quebec, think about France without the jet lag! Montreal is the second-largest French speaking metropolis in the world. We are happy to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Alliance."

    He presented Elizabeth Dupuy, Alliance president, with books, movies, CDs, and study materials about French and Quebec culture.

    Entertaining was Marikay Murray, who talked about “living like a French in Paris” since she won the Mardi Gras grand prize: two airline tickets and a week’s accommodation in Paris.

    THE Toledo branch of the American Association of University Women holiday party at Stone Oak Country Club highlighted scholarship students. The Toledo branch, established in 1900, is the oldest and largest branch in Ohio. Members explore the fundamental issues — educational, social, economic, and political — to break through barriers so that all women have a fair chance.

    Six young women were scholarship recipients: McKenna Hunter, physical therapy; Alison Mejias Santoro, education and art; Rachel Elizabeth Hanna, social work and philosophy; Moriah Kay Muscaro, medicine; Brooke Mason, civil engineering; and Kelsey Dietrick, speech-language pathology. There were also two Marge Lee STEM Scholarship awardees: Linnea Vicari, biology, ecology, organismal science, and Celine Schreidah, biochemistry.

    PROMEDICA Flower Hospital Auxiliary Holly and Ivy Holiday Fashion Show at Inverness Club started with boutique shopping with Purse Love, Bartz Viviano, MK Beauty, Wendy Kromer-Schell​, Arbonne, Sewing Matrix, Ragazza, Lindi-K Custom Jewelry Design, and Luxe RE.

    Emcee Kaiko Zureich kept the more than 200 guests laughing as they viewed fashions presented by Ragazza, Elegant Rags, Chico's, Vivian Kate​, Kids Klothesline, and President Tuxedo. Detroit Ballet ballerina Gwenivere Durand introduced each scene. “Cookie Elf” Cookie Westmeyer delivered holiday cookies to each table.

    Auxiliary President Susan Peters Kanwal​ presented a $5,000 check to Lynn​ Masters for the Goerlich Center at ProMedica Flower Hospital.

    Bravo to Barbara Baumgartner, chairman, assisted by Patricia Hilfinger, Brian Hazel-Bahrs, and Sue Brue, co-chairmen.

    Other events in the nonprofit world included:

    • DELTA Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.’s annual toy drive, the Joy of Giving Dance, for Lucas County Children Services.

    • THE Polly Fox Academy fund-raiser “Dreams for Polly” at the Registry Bistro, which raised more than $17,000.

    • A THANK You soiree for members of the Toledo Opera Guild in the lovely home of Megan Kabour.

    • THE TOLEDO Animal Shelter Association’s 90th anniversary celebration during the holiday dinner for supporters and volunteers at Brandywine Country Club.

    • THE Area Office on Aging Seniors Party, which was just plain fun.

    • SHADOW Valley Tennis Club hosted a ladies holiday event with tennis, lunch, and a fashion show. These ladies play tennis year round for fun and to keep in shape.

    NOW it's full force ahead as community philanthropists give their time, talent, and resources in this new year. If you have not already done so, join the movement to make a difference. It's rewarding to help others.

    Barbara Hendel is The Blade's Society Editor. Contact her at bhendel@theblade.com or call 419-724-6124.