Generosity blooms at area events

Just like spring flowers, fund-raisers are sprouting up everywhere, while some are germinating for later blooming.

APRIL 4 was a lucky day for Ladyfield Catholic Elementary. The school's Las Vegas fund-raiser, held that evening at Sylvania Country Club, netted nearly $20,000. That's thanks to chairmen Jennifer and Gene Borgstahl and their committee, along with the crowd of parents and friends in attendance.

There were cards, dice, and wheel games for prizes, as well as shopping at silent and live auctions, and counting down in a reverse raffle. Adding an extra spark to the fun was the appearance of "Elvis Presley," aka Bob Rosencrantz, who performed several Presley favorites, concluding with "Viva Las Vegas," which enticed guests to try their luck at the games.

Sister Carolyn Marie Schaeffer, left, and Jennifer Borgstahl enjoy ladyfield School's fund-raiser Saturday night.

Among the revelers were the school's principal, Sister Carolyn Marie Schaeffer, Mark and Sallie Hock, Sheryl and Kevin O'Shea, Mike and Vicki Kurtz, Bill and Lori Dillon, Jim and Linda Knepp, and Mark and Rochelle Gozdowski, who won the reverse raffle.

PLANS ARE in the works for the "Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic presented by Kroger," slated for Aug. 2-8 at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania. It will be the 20th annual Ladies Professional Golf Association tournament held in Toledo, with a purse of $1.1 million. Mr. Farr greeted everyone via a video presentation during the kickoff party March 31 at the Owens Corning World Headquarters. Mr. Farr, who was talking from his California home, where it was 75 degrees, gloated about the weather, knowing Toledo weather was not as nice. He said, "I'll see you in August - I love ya! And stay warm!" Until then, watch for Mr. Farr on the Today Show next month - he promised to get a plug in for the LPGA in Toledo.

Toledo is in the top five in attendance for an LPGA event. General chairman of the tournament is Sheree Bargabos of Owens Corning, so naturally everything was OC pink at the party. Marilyn Thomas and Linda Wininger were chairmen of the party; they are two of the more than 1,200 LPGA volunteers.

Charities to benefit from the classic include the Catholic Club, Children's Rights Council, Girl Scouts of Maumee Valley Council, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Toledo Day Nursery, Ronald McDonald House, and the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic Scholarship Fund.

ALSO IN THE works is Taste of the Nation, slated for May 16 at Gumbo's. A kickoff party was held a few weeks ago in the home of Becky Kasperzak and her husband, Dean, who is co-chairman with Gus Mancy, Ty Szumigala, and Labib Hajjar. Tickets to the black-tie-optional event are $125.

There will be $50 raffle tickets for a chance to win a men's and a women's gift package, a coat, car, cooking extravaganza, and miscellaneous gift package. The evening will include grazing and live music.

As always, 80 percent of the revenue will be distributed to local organizations, 10 percent to state organizations, and 10 percent to U.S. organizations and Share Our Strength's education program, Operation Frontline. This year's local recipients are the Aurora Project, Mobile Meals, Toledo Day Nursery, Toledo GROWS, Toledo Northwest Ohio Food Banks, and the Ohio Hunger Task Force.