Happy Birthday to EPIC Toledo

Joe Decker, Muddy, and Steve Decker. Joe and Steve, Sylvania YMCA/JCC board members, were two of the top 10 volunteers to raise the most contributions for the 2013 Annual Campaign.

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From left: Event chairman Mark Fox, Sheri Copanic, Colleen Tankoos and Jeff Schaaf attend the EPIC Toledo event at the Premier Banquet Hall.

The sixth annual Birthday Bash for EPIC Toledo (Engaging People, Inspiring Change) was March 8 presented by The Andersons and KeyBank at Premier Banquet Facility. Local band Mindfish and a DJ provided by the Entertainment Network cranked up the tunes as 350 young and more seasoned professionals and business folks feasted on foods from a number of area restaurants.

Adam Davenport, president of Gorillas & Gazelles and EPIC's current chairman, welcomed everyone.

EPIC Toledo has more than 1,350 individual members and 61 corporate members.

The next big event is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Owens Corning Panther Hall. EPIC Unplugged: Leading with Power and Influence presented by Buckeye CableSystem, is the kick-off of the 2013 EPIC Read and Lead program.

Attendees will receive instruction on building successful business and personal relationships through the core principles of "How to Win Friends and Influence People" from Dale Carnegie trainer John Adams. The event is free but restricted to EPIC Toledo members and employees of EPIC Toledo corporate members.

For information contact Desmond Strooh, interim EPIC Toledo director, at desmond.strooh@toledochamber.com or at 419-243-8191.

Joe Decker, Muddy, and Steve Decker. Joe and Steve, Sylvania YMCA/JCC board members, were two of the top 10 volunteers to raise the most contributions for the 2013 Annual Campaign.

Volunteers and donors teamed up for the YMCA/JCC of Greater Toledo 2013 Annual Campaign. A Victory Celebration: A League of Our Own was held March 6 in the Birdcage at Fifth Third Field to announce that the five-week annual fund-raising campaign exceeded its goal of $2.3 million with a total of $2,427,243. Emcee Tom Cole of BCSN cheered for the YMCA/JCC team, many of whom wore their favorite team's gear.

In addition to all of the donors, more than 1,000 volunteers and staff helped raise funds to provide child care, camp scholarships, membership and program assistance, and teen and leadership development training, said Ford Weber, 2013 annual campaign chairman. Last year more than 70,000 area children and families received assistance.

Among the guests were Joe Decker and Steve Decker, Sylvania YMCA/JCC board members, who were two of the top 10 volunteers to raise the most contributions for the 2013 Annual Campaign, and YMCA Board of Trustees members Rick Anderson, Steve Cotner, and Paul Schlatter.

Royal blue lights shined and Frank Sinatra's "The Best is Yet to Come" played as Dr. Zein Obagi, a researcher, scientist, and practicing physician, exited his limousine March 5 at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion. The Beverly Hills dermatologist was there to talk about "Ultimate Skin Health — The Future of Skincare."

He talked about how to create and maintain healthy skin and reduce the signs of aging, skin rejuvenation, and the latest advancements in skin treatments.

Dr. Frank Barone, local plastic surgeon and owner of Evolv Medical Aesthetics, thanked Dr. Obagi with a hand-blown custom art piece created for him by one of TMA's master glass artists. In addition to being wowed by the museum, Dr. Obagi was impressed by the fine accommodations at Mansion View Inn, the outstanding cuisine prepared table-side while at the Inn by Rosie's Italian Grille, plus the relaxing after-glow dinner at the Beirut.

The $3,600 proceeds were donated to the Skin Cancer Foundation.