ON THE TOWN

Organizations raise funds for good causes

Hendel.

Hendel.

THE 25th anniversary of the Anne Grady Foundation Enchanted Evening was Nov. 3 at Parkway Place in Maumee. The Year for Silver Linings-themed event raised about $105,000 for the Anne Grady Center for adults and children with developmental disabilities, said Sharon Unkle of the center.

Denise Colturi, Joe Pinciotti, and Joanne Ollivier at the Anne Grady Foundation Enchanted Evening.

Emcees Chrys Peterson and Jerry Anderson of WTOL-TV, Channel 11 and Fox Toledo enticed folks to bid on live auction items that included a pig roast, a furt coat, jewelry, and Detroit Pistons tickets.

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Don Newman won the Las Vegas raffle. Lois Whiteman won the candy jar raffle of $500 and gave half of her winnings back to the cause.

Honorary chairmen were Dr. R.W. and Laurie Mills. The center's Noah's House for children is named in memory of their late son.

Among the 382 guests were Ron Folger, who went on a shopping spree at the silent auction. First-time attendees included Ron and Sandi Dulay. Also seen were Dr. Walter "Rick" Grady, whose parents were the original founders; James Whiteman, foundation board president, and Dr. Richard Torchia, the center's board president.

Father Francisco Molina, SS Peter & Paul Church.

SOFIA Quintero Art and Cultural Center celebrated Día de los Muertos with an altar exhibit and fund-raiser Nov. 2 at the center. The celebration, in honor of those who have passed away, is filled with symbolism such as skulls "calaveras" representing death and rebirth for an afterlife.

The center was founded 17 years ago and is a non-profit organization for Old South End neighborhood residents and local artists that provides for awareness and education about the Latino arts, heritage and culture.

The day included an altar exhibit created by community residents, Spanish Clubs from local High Schools, and artists at La Galeria on Broadway St. The altar exhibit will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Nov. 15. Contact Cathy at 567-343-8671 or Joe at 419-214-0116 to schedule groups.

The event raised more than $12,000 and a heap of fun and camaraderie among the more than 200 attendees.

DIABETES Youth Services Sweet Success Gala: A celebration of hope and courage presented by ProMedica Toledo Children's Hospital Oct. 25 netted about $65,000 thanks to the sponsors and 175 attendees.

The organization focuses on teaching children and their families how to manage their diabetes on a daily basis. The independent, non-profit organization is sustained through individual, foundation, and corporate charitable contributions.

For more information visit www.dys4kids.org or call 419-887-8739.

The eighth annual event, held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Perrysburg, included dinner and live and silent auctions. Board chairman Mike Messenger welcomed everyone.

Two big announcements were made. The camp has a new location. It will be at a new state-of-the-art Recreation Unlimited camp in Ashley, Ohio, that is designed for children with health challenges.

Honorary chairman Dr. John Brunner said Diabetes Youth Services will be moving to 2100 West Central Ave, in the Mary Ellen Falzone Diabetes Center of Excellence March 1. Dr. Brunner will be the medical director for the new comprehensive care center which includes the Endocrine and Diabetes Care Center, where he is also the director.

Katheleeya Chua, 7, a Little Shots Camper, drew the ticket for the Bling Raffle for a necklace from C Sterling Jewelers valued at more than $2,500. The winner was Mary Ann Leanna.

Cassie Byrne shared her story. The college student was diagnosed at 13 months of age with Type 1 diabetes. She went to the Little Shots and Big Shots camps, then became a counselor and a mentor. She said she plans to become a nurse.

Emcee Beth Rose of Beth Rose Auction Company kept the evening on target and ran the live auction. Dr. Brunner won the bid for a week in Archachon, France at the penthouse apartment of Ann Sanford of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. It was valued at $1,400 and he paid $1,800.

Among the 180 guests who paid $100 per person were Dan LaValley, Jr. and wife Chris, Deborah and Ken Knight, Gary and Dori Marck, Sena Mourad Friedman and Bruce Friedman, Mike and Kelly Hart, Jim and Candy Gildea, Paul and Karen Vahalik, and volunteers Donald and Connie Smith.

Many board members were present including Ryan Albright, Scott Aubry, Carol Agosti, Lori Ferguson, Jennifer Grabarczyk, Dr. Samantha Mucha, Suzanne Robinson, Angie Rush, Sean Shinaberry, Andy Suhy, and Dr. Mark Watkins.

Event chairman was Terry Shoemaker. Kudos to Alex Alberti, 22 and his brother Jack Alberti, 12, who donated their time and talents as photographers for the evening.