Parties with a purpose

Left to right Hope Finch, James Caldwell, and Debbie Deiger during the "Harvest of Thanks," at the Premier Banquet Hall in Toledo, Ohio.

Toledo area folks continue to give, give, give, in the name of charity.

The Harvest of Thanks dinner, dance, and auction to help alleviate hunger via the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank netted about $80,000. The Oct. 27 event was at Premiere Catering with Jeff Volschow, board chairman, welcoming everyone.

The new J. Michael Hill Leadership Award, in memory of the late Mike Hill, was presented to John Brenner, Debbie and Leo Deiger, and WTVG-TV, Channel 13. A true example of giving to others, Mr. Hill, the former vice president at Pepsi Americas Inc. and an active community volunteer, was involved with the Food Bank, Caldwell Community Center, the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic, and many other nonprofit organizations.

Health Care REIT was honored with the Corporate Excellence Award. Freedom Point food distribution represented by Missy and Derek Moran was honored as the Agency of the Year. Paul Avery, Dana Mollencamp, and Diane Tankoos were honored for their service as volunteers.

After a harvest dinner, program, and a live auction run by Richard Leonard, the KGB band enticed folks to dance the night away.

Among the 200 guests were event chairmen Mrs. Deiger and Hope Finch and their committee of 16, all present including Shannon Gallup, Jan Colville, Eileen Cousino, Gena Barber, Wendy Kramer, Paige O'Loughlin, and Scotty Blanchard.

NAMI Board Members, Bruce Boerst, Jr. and Jill Draheim Ducey, Peter Kanios, Friend of NAMI, Robin Isenberg, Executive Director, and Sara Boerst, Friend of NAMI.

Sisters, girlfriends, mothers, daughters, and others including husbands, fathers, and brothers, gathered for the American Heart Association's annual Go Red for Women luncheon presented by ProMedica with national sponsors Macy's and Merck. The event, Oct. 26 at the Pinnacle, started with a health expo of 22 booths that included Dior Beauty, which donated a raffle basket of skin care products. A tasty and healthy meal followed.

Dr. James Bingle, president of ProMedica Heart and Vascular Institute, reinforced the need to be aware of the heart attack signs and symptoms for women: tightness in the jaw, nausea, sweating, pressure in the chest, and pain in arms, shoulders, and neck.

Among the 328 supporters, many sporting red attire, were Teresa Linares, Anita Trevino, Tess Zamora, Mary Wahl, Katie Warchol, Lisa Fink, and Caitlin Martin.

Marcia Silverman, chairman of the Circle of Red, a society of individuals who donate $1,000 or more, was there, too, and two new members joined that day. The new Red Tie Society, the male group, was also represented at the luncheon and two new members joined that day as well.

The event netted more than $100,000 and donations are still coming in. Thanks go to event chairman Sheila Schwartz of ProMedica and her committee.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Greater Toledo's 30th anniversary was celebrated Oct. 23 with an intimate gathering in the Perrysburg home of Joe and Judith Conda with their daughter Susan Conda, who is a board member. The soiree netted about $3,500 for local programs and services.

Among the 30 guests were Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak; Judge Denise Cubbon; Jennifer Moses, CEO of the Zepf Center; John DeBruyne, CEO of Rescue, Inc.; Bob Stokes, CEO of COMPASS; Keith Burwell, Toledo Community Foundation, and wife Susan; Barbara Steele, ProMedica, and Mary Fedderke, of the Toledo Zoo. Also seen were Clyde and Jane Whitlatch and Penny Gentieu.

The holidays are nearly here. Put me on your invitation list. I can't go if I don't know.

Deadline for information and photographs is midnight Monday following the event. Please send photographs in high-resolution jpeg format with first and last names of people as they appear, left to right. Information must include a contact phone number.