Summertime cheer puts charity in high gear

7/27/2013

The Toledo Club's Party in the Parking Lot XXVI presented by The Blade on July 19 was filled with music, mingling, and munching. Featured bands included Buddy Love and the Coconuts, Moon Dogs, and East River Drive. Between sets, DJ RevDev -- club member Devin Moore -- kept the crowd dancing.

The public event featured a cash bar and food with an entrance fee of $10 in advance and $15 at the door. The menu included chicken and vegetable kabobs, bratwurst, burgers, Cuban pulled pork sandwiches, hand-cut chips, hummus, and chocolate chip cookies.

PHOTO GALLERY: On the Town, Summertime Cheer

More than 1,400 tickets were sold. The event encouraged casual attire, but there was a little bit of everything from sundresses and shorts with high-heeled sandals to shorts, polo and tropical print shirts, tennis shoes and flip-flops for men.

Gene Parker and Friends entertained indoors for members and VIP guests. Friends included Mr. Parker's son Ray Parker of New York on bass, Damen Cook on the drums, Ric Wolkins on trumpet, and Chris Buzzelli on guitar.

Event chairman was club member James Knapp.

The club is hoping to surpass last year's net of about $5,000, but the totals are not yet available. Proceeds go to the Boys and Girls Clubs, which supplied about 40 volunteers.

Chicks for Charity is on its way to reaching its goal of more than $100,000 for this year's designated charity, Shared Lives Studio. The all-female organization hosted its annual Chicks Mix '13 on July 16 at Toledo Botanical Garden with more than 400 people who helped raise more than $27,000. Add that to the $3,000 previously raised, and the group has contributed more than $30,000 to Shared Lives Studio this year. The Chicks' pledge is to have each member raise or donate $75, which would bring in more than $100,000, said Martha Vetter, founder.

Upcoming Chicks events to benefit Shared Lives Studio include Coffee Fridays at Shared Lives Studio with the artists from noon to 2 p.m. The cost is $5 for a mug with free refills.

The Becky Zibble Golf Scramble is Aug. 3 at Chippewa Golf Course in Curtice, Ohio. The cost is $65 per player. Information: www.facebook.com/ChicksForCharity.

Epic Toledo's second annual T-Town Dash brought young professionals downtown July 11 to Fifth Third Field. Engaging People, Inspiring Change is a program of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce to develop future business and community leaders and attract and retain diverse young talent. It has more than 1,450 individual members and 65 corporate members.

The two-hour scavenger hunt event provided participants an opportunity to demonstrate their leadership skills while learning about downtown Toledo.

Teams searched for clues at different landmarks, venues, and businesses that led them through various activities along the way until they reached the final location -- a party at the Best Western Premier.

There were 75 young professionals who participated and 25 downtown businesses as stops along the Dash route. EPIC Advisory Board member Greg Clausing of The Andersons served as event chairman.

The winning team was Sarah Carstensen of Imagine Schools and her teammates Brita Ornberg, Evan Palo, Chris Moore and Lauren Myers.

Information: contact Sara Swisher, EPIC Toledo Director at sara.swisher@toledochamber.com or call 419-243-8191.

Women & Philanthropy at the University of Toledo held its Summer Social July 12 at the home of Fran and Dick Anderson, on the terrace overlooking the gardens and lake. The lovely soiree with polka dot linen-covered tables centered with fresh cut flowers, was catered by The Beirut Restaurant.

Women & Philanthropy is a volunteer organization of members that have pooled their charitable gift dollars to promote the university through investments and grants.

Chairman Marianne Ballas announced that the organization has awarded two grants for 2013 totaling $38,000: $15,000 to the UT Lake Erie Center to fund interactive computer displays and $23,000 to The UT Department of Intercollegiate Athletics to renovate the media room in Savage Arena.

Event chairmen Nancy Creech and Karen DeNune were assisted by Marcy McMahon, Betsy Gouvernayre, Marianne Gramza, Jackie Sullivan, Yolanda Szuch, and Angela Granata.

Among the guests and members were Ruth Alteneder, Vern and Sue Snyder, Dorothy MacKenzie Price, Judy and Tom Gutteridge, Posy Huebner, Marie Vogt, Susie Shew, Judith and Joe Conda, Elizabeth Foley, Nancy Miller, Ellie Brunner, Jackie and Chuck Sullivan, Mary Galvin, and Lynnette and Dave Werning.

Information: www.utoledo.edu/offices/women_philanthropy/index.html.