ATT: Dancers hop to it to benefit Hannah's Socks

6/10/2010

GIVING back to the community were Cousino's Navy Bistro and Denny R and the Smooth Groove band, which provided the venue, food, and music for Hannah's Socks' inaugural Sock Hop fund-raiser recently in the bistro's courtyard.

In 2004, Hannah, then 4, was helping her mother serve Thanksgiving dinner at the Cherry Street Mission when she noticed a man with tattered shoes and no socks. She tried to give him her socks, but her mother told Hannah that they wouldn't fit him. The child wouldn't let the matter drop, and the next day, her parents, Doris and Vic Turner of Perrysburg, bought 100 pairs of socks and delivered them to the mission.

The family donated more than 400 pairs of socks over the next two years, and in 2007, the nonprofit organization Hannah's Socks was created to help needy Toledoans have warm, dry feet.

Things were hopping at the '50s retro theme party, with records and retro candy, a Hula Hoop contest, and guests in poodle skirts, saddle shoes, leather jackets, and T-shirts with rolled-up sleeves. Even the gal's restrooms fit the theme with Aquanet hair spray, sponge rollers, and “Danny loves Sandy” written with lipstick on the mirror.

Among the attendees were Mr. and Mrs. Turner, who were on a date night while their eight children were with a baby sitter, plus Matt and Lea Skotynsky, Dale and Serena Barnard, Debbie and Jesse Walle, Kim and Nancy Klewer, Jill Servos, Stacey and Ryan La Pointe, Cyndi and Jack Sculfort, Deb and Les Buker, Annette and Dick Sipp, Beth Christoff, Marcia and Joe Rutherford, Shirley Williams, and Bob and Pat Bidwell, who won the grand raffle prize — a Levis Commons package of gift certificates and a stay at the Hilton at Levis.

For information call 419-931-4757 or go to hannahssocks.org.

ALSO giving back to the community were Ron and Cindy Folger. Under a giant tent, guests feasted on tasty food and danced all night long to tunes provided by Sounds of Music. It was all part of the package that the Folgers purchased at the Anne Grady Center's Enchanted Evening dinner auction last November. So, they enjoyed the auction night, donated to a good cause, and had more fun as a result. Among the more than 90 guests at the Folgers' recent bash were Cindy and Brock Rimmelin, Jill and Randy Powers, Judy Dishong, Marcia and Tim Hicks, Lisa and Frank Barone, Gary and Marcia Folger, and Linda and Steve McKenney.

Star volunteers applauded

Medical Mutual of Ohio's Northwest Region's Outstanding Senior Citizen Volunteer Awards were presented recently to local people in the community. Toledoans LeRoy St. Clair, Carol Tylicki, and Lynn Lyle were awarded top honors. All three will be nominated for statewide recognition as Outstanding Senior Volunteer in October.

A PARTY for Great Lakes Autism was June 3 at Cafe Del Sol in the lower level of the downtown Crowne Plaza, along the Maumee River.

Indoors and outdoors, guests enjoyed the perfect weather as they wined and dined on appetizers, a buffet, and a giant dessert table. Seen among the nearly 150 guests were Keith Burwell, Rita Mansour, Linda Mansour, Randa Shousher, Joe Napoli, and Larry Dillin.

With appetites sated, excitement ran high as folks bid on an assortment of packages sold at the live auction helmed by Jerry Anderson of WTOL-TV, Channel 11. Jane Wilde of Toledo won the raffle for a vacation at the Poipu Kai resort in Kauai, Hawaii.

Photoboothlive added to the fun, as guests took pictures of themselves, sometimes squeezing a lot of friends into the booth with them.

With the party, attendees, auction, and underwriting, the event raised about $60,000, according to event chairmen Tim Valko and Meg Ressner. “One hundred percent of the raised funds are returned to the community in the form of grants and seed money to many organizations which work with people with autism. Great Lakes Center for Autism in the last two years alone has distributed over $175,000 within the northwest Ohio area,” said Dr. Valko. For more information contact greatlakesautism.org.