Events provide helping hands

Gina and Rob Krieger were honored for their continued support for the Toledo Northwest Ohio Food Bank at the Hearts of Fire: Feed the Desire Valentine's dance.

Kurt Nielsen photography

Gina and Rob Krieger were honored for their continued support for the Toledo Northwest Ohio Food Bank at the Hearts of Fire: Feed the Desire Valentine's dance.

A lot of heart and soul went into several recent fundraising events.

Red roses, tulle, and hearts accented with flaming torches set the elegant scene for the second annual Hearts of Fire: Feed the Desire Valentine's Dance Feb. 16 at Sylvania Country Club.

The fun night was all about providing food for those in need and $12,000 was raised for the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank, according to event chairmen Dana Mollenkamp and Debbie Katich.

Adding pep to one's step was the KGB which sang favorite tunes.

Sponsors included Checker Distributors, Dave White Chevrolet, Merrill Lynch, Managed Care Advisory, International Tableware Inc., Woodforest National Bank, Charter One Bank, and the Katich Family.

PHOTO GALLERY: Events provide helping hands

Among the more than 130 attendees were Vicky Case, Karen and Ralph Denune, Dave White, Dianne and Bob Tankoos, Pat and Bernie Ness, Darlene and John Fedor, Cindy and Joe Mehling, Tom Devers, Elaine and Brad Lewandowski, and honorees Gina and Rob Krieger for their support of the Food Bank.

Toledo Symphony League's Parties of Note, small-group, themed events hosted and underwritten by various members of the League, have turned into nice venues for fund-raising. They borrowed the idea from another Symphony League about seven years ago and each year raise more money. The total from the 2012 parties was nearly $10,000, according to Trina McGivern, chairman.

A Brunch on Valentine's Day was hosted by Mei Mei Williams and JoAn Nichols at Chandler Cafe in Sylvania, and ladies shopped the surrounding stores such as Lady C, C'est La Vie, Bumble Bee, and Hudson Art Gallery.

A St. Patrick's Day party with Irish dancers and Celtic music is slated for 5:30 p.m. March 10 at St. Joseph East Campus in Sylvania. The $30 ticket price includes a Jigg's dinner, beer, Irish whiskey, wine, coffee, and desserts. For reservations call Trina at 419-874-6050.

Left to right Nick Hall, his wife Jennifer Hall, and Erin McPartland during Graham's Foundation Power to Grow fundraiser Mancy's Steakhouse.

Graham's Foundation Toledo annual Power to Grow fund-raiser was held recently at Mancy's Steakhouse. Founded in 2009 by Jennifer and Nick Hall in memory of their son, Graham, it offers practical and emotional support to others experiencing the birth of premature babies or who have suffered a loss. Graham lived for 45 days but his twin sister, Reece, now 6, is doing fine.

Guests shopped a silent auction and feasted on Mancy's food, sipped martinis by Tito's Vodka, and enjoyed coffee and desserts by Maddie and Bella Coffee Co.

Jason Zajac's story as the parent of premature twins with his wife, Ruth, was inspirational. He said he felt helpless during the ordeal with his twin sons, who are healthy children now.

It made me recall the story my parents told me of my own birth many moons ago. I was born six weeks early and was so little I fit into my Dad's shoe box. The hospital didn't have enough incubators, so my mom, a registered nurse, took me home and a makeshift incubator was created over the warm air register. My parents held me on a pillow and took turns feeding me with a medicine dropper every hour, day and night. They weighed me at least once a day and were thrilled when I gained even an ounce. By the time I was 1 year old, I was a healthy child.

The $8,000 that was raised will pay for 400 care packages to parents of premature babies, said Erin McPartland, executive director. Information: www.grahamsfoundation.org or 1-888-466-2948.

Graham's Foundation's free community event Parents of Preemies Day will be noon to 3 p.m. March 10 at Healthcare REIT, 4500 Dorr St. This event is held nationwide on the same day. The local event is sponsored by the Elizabeth Scott Community, an assisted living home that is family owned and operated. Information: http://parentsofpreemiesday.org/main.html

The Toledo Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc. presented Jean Jam IV, an annual event by the Toledo Chapter of Jack and Jill America Inc. on Feb. 15 in St. Clement's Hall. The foundation raised $6,300 and a check for $3,000 was presented to the Young Women's Christian Association. Kudos to event chairman Patrice McClellan and her committee.