OTT: Creative fund-raising

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Kelley Berry, left, Fifi Berry, center, and Sena Mourad enjoy the Valentine's luncheon and fashion show at Fifi's. <br> <img src=http://www.toledoblade.com/graphics/icons/photo.gif> <font color=red><b>PHOTO GALLERY</b></font>: <a href=" /apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=TO&Dato=20100228&Kategori=COLUMNIST10&Lopenr=228009999&Ref=PH"_blank"> <b> OTT: Creative fund-raising: </b></a> Feb. 28, 2010

Every little bit helps these days when it comes to raising money for community causes. A few dollars here and a few dollars there, when put all together, lead to significant amounts. The same goes for volunteering. When everyone pitches in, a task that seems monumental becomes do-able.

The deadline for information is two weeks prior to the event. Please send it to bhendel@theblade.com or Barbara Hendel, The Blade society editor, 541 North Superior St., Toledo, OH 43660.

The Associated Yacht Clubs hosted one big celebration weekend at the Holiday Inn French Quarter, which brought a lot of business to the area and took over other area hotels.

The private event was in honor of outgoing Commodore Brent Schneider and Lady Nancy of Maumee River Yacht Club, in dress blues and cocktail attire.

On Friday more than 1,700 club members and guests partied the night away in the Holidome where many hospitality rooms were elaborately decorated for the occasion. On Saturday the Commodores Reception in the atrium was highlighted with a mini fireworks display over the pool. Four hundred commodores sipped, nibbled, and chatted about the upcoming boating season.

Later, the Commodores Ball drew 440 attendees. AYC commodores were announced and escorted into the ballroom. Emcee John Lark of MRYC announced Commodore Schneider and Lady Nancy as they came through a cloud of fog and laser lights with a trumpet fanfare. The national anthems of the United States and Canada were played by the Start High School Brass Quartet.

Then the 2010 AYC officers were installed including Commodore Doug Bagley and Lady Sharon.

Before heading back to the Holidome for dancing, winners of the hospitality rooms were announced. Ford Yacht Club won the club room award and Maumee River Yacht Club won the officer room award.

Midnight struck, which meant time for the annual jump-in-the pool by the outgoing commodore class, with a successful year behind them.

Costs for the event were alleviated through fund-raising two years ago, said Gary Weaver of Harbor View Yacht Club, event chairman. Then, with the monies they had, they spent last year planning.

It was cold outside, but indoors was a cozy and elegant setting by the fireplace. Fifi's Reprise Restaurant Valentine's Fashion Show and luncheon was delayed a week because of the weather, but the place was filled with ladies who enjoy fine dining and fashions. Crisp white linen-covered tables, candlelight, red roses, and soft piano tunes set the scene for a gourmet meal followed by a show of fashions from Elegant Rags. This event was all about fun; however, the restaurant hosts an annual charity luncheon too.

Speaking of fashions for charity, the Toledo Opera Guild is hosting a spring luncheon March 10 at Georgio's that includes informal modeling of spring rain gear to go with the Singing in the Rain theme. The Auxiliary to the Ability Center spring luncheon March 17 at Fifi's also includes a walk-through fashion show.

THE Maumee Rotary Service Foundation 29th annual charity auction “From Rotary with Love” was Feb. 20 at The Pinnacle with lots of wanna-be 007 agents. Just like a James Bond movie, there was excitement, intrigue, and passion, from the people to the elegant setting to the auction.

In keeping with the theme, a package of all 22 Bond movies was sold along with a soundtrack, memorable martini glass, and an encyclopedia of the movies including all six men who played James Bond, compliments of Joe Ludwig and Frank Hesselbart.

There were other Bond-themed packages too, including many dinners hosted by members such as the “Rotary Bond” girls Barb Mang, Kathy Altman, Jan Metzger, and Sarah Laughlin; a “license to grill” with Lynn Olman, Phil Kirk, and Sarah Otis; “live and let fly” at Rockwell Springs Trout Club donated by Tom Cox, and of course, “diamonds are forever,” thanks to Barrows Jewelers which donated a diamond necklace. Action continued as bidding wars erupted, especially over the house of dreams vacation on the Pacific donated by Jeff Keim, member and auctioneer, who volunteered his services for the auction.

The event, in memory of the late Chuck Oswald, netted a ton of fun and $98,000, including $19,450 for the Toledo Northwest Ohio Food Bank.

Among the 273 “secret agents” for the night were Greg Fish, foundation chairman; Mark Williams, auction chairman; Ana Belongea, president; Bill Haupricht, emcee; Julie Oswald, trustee, and many other members including Joe Coyle, Karen Merrels, Don Knepper, Wendy Bertolina, Rich Carr, Tim Kearney, Cynthia Smith, Mike Czerniak, Do Nguyen, Roxie Hill, John English, Jim Flynn, and Stephanie Woolford.

ALSO this month was the Perrysburg Rotary 26th annual auction Feb. 6 at the Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons with Ken Robinson, president. Jim Euting, event chairman, estimates in addition to the fun, $43,000 was netted to establish a scholarship endowment fund and to finish the Rotary community park which will open this spring behind the Perrysburg YMCA.

There was 100 percent participation by Rotarians, either with donations, tickets, or volunteerism. Nearly 200 silent auction items offered shopping opportunities for everyone. Pam Rose, auctioneer, who volunteered her services, sold more than 25 oral auction items.

Among the 230 in attendance were Jennifer Fehnrich, raffle chairman, Molly and Bob Mack, Jeanne and Gary Holfinger, Alison and Greg Frye, Mary Ann and Chris Vogel, Laurie and Jeff Huskisson, Debbie Peters and Steve Cotner, and Deb and Rick Thielen.

THE University of Toledo hosted its annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Scholarship Benefit Reception presented by Paramount Advantage Feb. 19 on campus in the Driscoll Center with special guest speaker Mayor Mike Bell, who is a UT alum.

Emcee Kristian Brown of WTVG-TV, Channel 13, kicked off the event; Lloyd Jacobs, UT president, and Dale Ocheske of Paramount Health Care, welcomed everyone; David Gulley of University College gave the invocation, and Gabrielle Hill of the College of Education sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

The scholarship recipients spoke and shared words of wisdom. They are Nathaniel Wilson, a junior in the college of business administration with a double major in marketing and professional sales; Raffiel Rashawn McCloud, a junior in the college of Arts and Science, majoring in economics; and Jimmie Rigsby, a student in the College of Health and Human Service, majoring in exercise science specializing in prephysical therapy.

Gregory Braylock, Jr., a 2006 scholarship recipient, like the others, talked of the importance of continuing support for young people so they can make their dreams happen and contribute to the community.

Mr. Bell ended by saying that we must continue to care about each other and work together to meet our community dreams.

After all the pomp and circumstance, a reception followed for the 175 attendees. The event is expected to raise $8,000 to $9,000.

HAIRCUTS for Haiti about a month ago was hosted by Shamas salon and spas in Perrysburg. Services were offered at 50 percent off, and in return, moola was made. Tony Shamas himself came out of retirement as a stylist and cut a few tresses for the cause.

QUARTERMANIA, a new kind of fund-raiser that combines a raffle and an auction, recently reaped about $300 for the Victory Center. The event was hosted by a group of home-based business women. The next event is March 25 at the Conn-Weissenberg Legion Post. For more information contact toledoquartermania.wordpress.com.