AROUND TOWN

Chicks mix for charity

From left, Kelly Brooks, Harry Cummins, and Jackie Zureich pose during the Chicks for Charity Chicks Mix.

THE BLADE/ZACK CONKLE
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From left, Judy Lang, Lexi Fisher, and Joyce Rimmelin at the Chicks for Charity event at Toledo Botanical Garden.

Chicks for Charity, a group of more than 1,800 area women who have joined forces to make a difference, hosted its Chicks Mix 12 on July 11 at Toledo Botanical Garden.

Founded in 2006 by Martha Vetter, the group has raised nearly $350,000 for charities.

A new charity to support is selected every two years. The 2011-12 charity is International Boxing Club Beat the Streets. In addition to stressing moral values, cultural awareness, academic achievement, and a strong self-image as an alternative to drug abuse and street violence, the program teaches students about giving to others. Students must maintain a C grade average and do homework every day before working out.

Young chicks Cecilia Chowdhary, left, and Sloan DeWood, both 5, support the cause.

Every bit helps, from Junior Chicks lemonade stands to adult wine tastings and more. Each Chick pledges to raise or donate $75 in 2012.

This year's events have included Phil Barone's Tribute to Jim Morrison, Key4Women Forum by KeyBank, Laila Waggoner's Chicks Facebook "Flurry Challenge," Yoga Day sponsored by Yoga Teachers of NWO, and Michelle Jaffe's Same Sky Trunk Show.

The annual event raised more than $23,000, bringing to more than $89,000 the amount of money that has been donated so far to IBC in 2012.

The Chicks' mantra is "Enjoy life, laugh a lot, work hard, play hard, be thankful for our blessings, share wisdom, give back." And the Mix said it all: The Toledo School for the Arts 14th Street Revival Pop Band played tunes while about 400 members schmoozed, shopped, and dined. Bright colored paper flowers and recycled newspapers and bottles added to the cheery garden setting.

From left, Kelly Brooks, Harry Cummins, and Jackie Zureich pose during the Chicks for Charity Chicks Mix.

Honorary chicks -- men -- served as bar tenders.

A silent auction featured 23 gift baskets and six vacation packages with a combined value of more than $16,500.

R/P Marketing, owned by Ms. Vetter, was one of the 40-some event sponsors, nearly 100 business donors, and more than 100 individual donors.

Women & Philanthropy at the University of Toledo held its summer social on June 22 in the lovely home of Jole and Jim Harmon. Guests mingled over cocktails and followed with a light buffet of pastries, roast beef, crab cakes and more.

From left, Dan Saevig, Marianne Ballas, and Jole and Jim Harmon at the social gathering for Women & Philanthropy held recently at the home of the Harmons.

Founded in 2006, the group's membership dues provide a yearly program grant at the University of Toledo. This year's grant was $50,000 to the new alumni pavilion where the hospitality area is named for the women's group. Co-founder Marianne Ballas welcomed the guests and Dan Saevig, of UT's alumni relations, talked about the new alumni pavilion project. Since the group's first gift to UT in 2008 it has donated $176,931.

Among the more than 100 guests were Dick and Jane McQuade, Brigid and Kevin O'Neal, Dee Talmage, Lynnette and Dave Werning, Posy Huebner, Alan and Ann Goodridge, Tom and Judy Gutteridge, Tab and Ann Marie Hinkle, Rita Mansour, Dick and Fran Anderson, Ann Galloway, Richard and Shelley Walinski, Sue and Bob Savage, Linda Mansour, and Barbara Steele and Alan Kimpel.