Event raises funds to safeguard children

The totals are in for the Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center's annual luncheon presented by St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Children's Hospital April 30 at Gladieux Meadows. The net was more than $35,000, according to chairmen Shelly Conyngham and Susan Herring.

That's thanks to the several sponsors as well as the 225 guests who paid $100 each to participate in the lunch/program/silent auction.

Guests bid on five silent auction packages, including a vacation at Larry and Luann Croy's St. Kitts vacation condo, a Dominick Labino glass piece donated by Alex Sahadi, prescription glasses from John Lynch Opticians, professional tooth-whitening by Edward Posluszny, a ruby and diamond necklace from Harold Jaffe Jewelers, and a package for the RCA Tennis Championship in Indianapolis, donated by John Short.

From left, Shelly Conyngham, Donna Woodson, and Susan Herring aid the Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center.

Raffle prizes were a big hit, too, including a golf package for Stone Oak Country Club, gift certificates for Elegant Rags, Maumee Bay Brewing Company, Robert's Men's Wear, and Dick's Sporting Goods, a gift from Hafner Florist, a University of Toledo signed football, and a children's gift basket by Kate Adams Nameche.

The room was filled with community movers and shakers, including the center's founder, Dr. Bernard Cullen, board president Barbara Mang, past board president Bill Reber, Elizabeth Zepf, Kathy Zacharias, Fran Anderson, Cathy Furey, Sandra Towns, Carol Koury, Jodi Moughamian, Jane Larsen, Phil Safford, Ann Albert, Abby Krause-Cintron, Nan Chezek, Sharon Lynch, Joe Cummerow, Susan El Shafie, Paul Sopko, Cynthia Ford, and honored guest Bill Feniger, who was there with wife Sally. Mr. Feniger was honored for his support of the center.

A tasty lunch was served at tables set with simple elegance - fresh-cut tulips that were pretty but inexpensive as chairmen wanted to focus on raising as much money as possible for the cause.

And the purpose was brought to light when guest speaker Donna Woodson gave a presentation titled "Domestic Violence: A Physician's Perspective." Dr. Woodson is the newly elected president of the board of Lucas County Regional Health District, better known as the Board of Health.

Next year's lunch is already on the slate - it will be held April 29, same time, same place.

THE TOLEDO Animal Shelter Auxiliary is barking up a lot of fun to raise funds. Auxiliary members are invited to "Take a Cat Walk in Elegant Rags" during the organization's annual meeting at 11:30 a.m. May 18 at Inverness Club. The fashion show is by Elegant Rags women's shop in Perrysburg.

In addition, members are getting ready for their big plant sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 22 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 23 at the shelter, which coincides with the shelter's Adopt-A-Thon.

The plant sale replaces the annual flea market of past years.

A COMMUNITY campaign, "Take Stock in Our Youth: I Am the Future - Help Me Succeed" for the Boys and Girls Clubs was kicked off with a party April 28 at the Homer Hanham Club. Supporters were greeted by the JJ Express Band and the Sparks Cheerleaders.

The goal of $500,000 was announced as the target for the campaign, which runs through the end of the month. Shares in "Kid Stock" will be sold for $10 to reach the goal. Proceeds will support the operation of the four clubs in Toledo and Camp Big Silver in Pinckney, Mich.

Co-chairmen are Rob Robinson and Gail Mirrow; board president is Don Harbaugh.