On the Town: Giving from the heart

Event chairman Dr. Brian Dolsey and his wife Dee Dolsey attend the American Heart Association Glass City Heart Ball at The Pinnacle.

White flowers centered each of the black-covered tables and the chairs were tied with shimmery gold lame bows, setting an elegant scene March 10 at the Pinnacle for the 15th Annual Glass City Heart Ball to benefit the American Heart Association.

A wine reception with a performance by Toledo School for the Arts students was followed by a silent auction sponsored by ProMedica Northwest Ohio Cardiology Consultants and a heart-healthy, tasty dinner.

PHOTO GALLERY: On the Town

Emcees Rick Woodell of 101.5 The River and Michelle Rowe, Always Healthy Mom columnist, kept the evening rolling. Auctioneer Jason Whalen enticed folks to bid for the cause. A special appeal for Learn and Live started with a talk by Susan Zaciewski, a heart attack survivor.

Then it was time to burn a few calories by dancing to the tunes of HepCat Revival. Blair Grubb and Barbara Straus danced all night long.

Among the 250 attendees were board president Dr. Joseph Shapiro, of the University of Toledo Medical Center, and board chairman Dr. David Lindstrom, of the Lucas County EMS ProMedica Transport Network.

Event chairman Dr. Brian Dolsey is glowing over the net of $100,000.

Wearin' of the Green

Guests at "Wearin' of the Green" presented by the Toledo Symphony League got a head start on celebrating St. Patrick's Day March 11 at Sylvania St. Joseph's Church. Celtic music and familiar Irish tunes were played by Green Hills, and shamrocks adorned with green ribbons set the scene. A Jiggs dinner was finished with shamrock cookies, green pistachio cupcakes, and Irish coffee.

The $1,600 netted supports the league's children's music education programs. Beth Bowman, league president, and her husband, Ted, hosted the gathering with Ann Randolph, immediate past president. This is just one of the League's small gatherings throughout the year to benefit this cause.

Among the guests, many in green, were Kathy Carroll and Carl White, Beverly and Herman Zielinski, Ruth Alteneder, Trina and Mike McGivern, Myrna and David Bryan, Barb and Richard Topping, Zana Sandys, Margaret Doresco, and Lynda Gilbert.

Rotary auction

The Maumee Rotary charity auction roared with success in memory of Chuck Oswald. The club, which works all year for their one fund-raiser, raised about $175,000 for the 31st annual event. The proceeds go to the Rotary Service Foundation for local, national, and international service projects. The net included a separate Special Ask for Guatemala auction, which raised $112,000.

The event called the "All That Jazz: A Sultry Night" last month at the Pinnacle in Maumee included a complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres reception, a silent auction of goodie baskets, and a sit-down dinner with jazz music. The tables were centered with glass vases made by Maumee High School art students that were sold that night.

President and Rotary District Governor Kathy Altman welcomed everyone. Do Nguyen and Judy Kwiatkowski were honored with Paul Harris fellowship awards for their humanitarian efforts.

Among the more than 300 attendees were Dave and Beth Bodner, Julie and John Abbey, Bill Haupricht and his wife Beth Kuebler, and event chairmen Tom and Sharon Cox, who were assisted by Interact Students-Junior Rotary from St. John's Jesuit High School, Gateway Middle School, and Maumee High School.

Also helping and spending were Jim and Kathy Flynn, Dennis and Jan Schell, Tim and Pat Kearney, Robbin and Jody Syrek, Bruce and Ann Brodbeck, and Dave and Barb Mang.

Leadership breakfast

Community leaders gathered early March 2 at Stranahan Great Hall for Leadership Toledo's 8th annual Connect for Leadership fund-raiser breakfast presented by Key Bank. Leadership Toledo, in its 32nd year, grooms individuals to become effective community leaders.

Event chairman Allison Hammons welcomed everyone and executive director David Schlaudecker shared the group's mission. Jim Witt, superintendent of Lake Local Schools, talked of the organization's Students In Action/Youth Jefferson Awards program. A video created and donated by Madhouse was followed by Swanton High School senior Jacob Brehmer, who discussed his positive experience with Youth Leadership Toledo and YIPEE (Youth In Philanthropy Encouraging Excellence).

Among the nearly 700 attendees were professionals from major corporations, law firms, banks, colleges, universities, school districts, service organizations, media, hospitals, insurance companies, and car dealerships.

Seen were board president Carrie Serber, Jerome Pecko, Cecilia Adams, Dennis Johnson, Lori Powe, Rasesh Shah, Kevin Boissoneault, George and Vicky Brymer, Stu Goldberg, Rob Loeb, Chip Carstensen, Richard Hylant, Becca Gorman, Patrick and Maureen Kenney, Sharon Speyer, Bob LaClair, Karen Fraker, Sara Moynahan, Peter Papadimos, Peter Urbanik, John McNamara, Kim Phillips, DJ Yark, William Garbe, Ernie Lewis, Debby Peters, Ken Wood, Ford Weber, Fletcher Word, and Joseph Zerby IV, president-general manager of The Blade.

The event raised $75,000.

EPIC birthday

The first floor of the Toledo Club was transformed March 9 into a swanky lounge for EPIC Toledo's 5th Birthday Bash presented by The Andersons and KeyBank with 26 other sponsors. EPIC, which stands for Engaging People, Inspiring Change, is part of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce to develop future business and community leaders. Local band Distant Cousinz played tunes as 500 revelers sipped libations including the special swanky martinis.

Spotted in the crowd were Mayor Mike Bell, Jimmy Wu of Dashing Pacific, 2012 EPIC Toledo chairman Jeff Williams and his wife Alex, Jeff Schaaf, Julie Heigel, Adam Davenport, Jim Walrod, and Brian Niedzwiecki. For information call 419-243-8191 or go to epictoledo.com.