Autumn spotlight shines on fund-raisers

With autumn come fund-raisers. And October is just the beginning.

Treasures of the Vine, a wine tasting Friday at the Franciscan Center of Lourdes College, was a relaxing evening with family and friends to benefit the Victory Center, which provides support services for cancer patients and their families. Guests, all of whom have had cancer touch their lives, chatted as they tasted wines and bid on silent-auction items.

Jean Holden and Company played jazz for background music, but everyone paused when she sang “God Bless America.”

Adding to the patriotic mood were the red-covered tables flanked with U.S. flags and the two chocolate Labrador pups on the live auction block - they sported red, white, and blue scarves.

Lillian and Mike Walsh were hosts for the kickoff party for the Presidential Ball to benefit St. Francis De Sales High School.

Spotted were board president Richard Malone, Margaret and Carl Hedlund, Dorothy Price, Geof Tracy, Tom and Toni Arman, Bill and Sue Horvath, Mary and Doug Dietrich, Duane and Nancy Ankney, Mary Kay and Bill Sanford, Lynn and Tom Sojak, Ann and Bill Searles, and Jackie and Paul Komisarek, who bought one of the pups and pondered over George W. as a name. Michael Goettner, there with his wife, Nancy, donated a painting for the cause. Jo An Nichols was the chairman.

Black tie and tails was far from the dress code at the March of Dimes Star Chef's Auction Oct. 1 at Navy Bistro: It was a “bib required” theme. Guests were given bibs as they arrived for the evening of tasting great food by area chefs and bidding on auction items.

Before you know it, holiday time will be here. With that in mind, a kickoff party for the 10th annual Presidential Ball to benefit St. Francis De Sales High School was held Sept. 27 in the Ottawa Hills home of Mike and Lillian Walsh. The ball, which is always the first Saturday in December, is slated for Dec. 1 at SeaGate Centre. Chairmen are Elaine and Brad Lewandowski and Connie and Mark Valiton.

In the meantime, there are plenty of charitable events yet this month: