AROUND TOWN

Many people give throughout the year, not just during the holidays.

L-R, Judy Reitzel (in front), Luella Smith (in back), Connie Murphy (in red), and Mary Harman (in purple).

National Philanthropy Day was Nov. 15 to recognize those who have given back to the community and helped others. The reward of philanthropy is the satisfaction of helping others. The Northwestern Ohio Chapter of Fundraising Professionals celebrated a day early on Nov. 14 at the Pinnacle in Maumee with its annual luncheon attended by about 470 community supporters.

This year's honorees and their awards included Lisa Gathard, Outstanding Philanthropist; Randy Oostra, Outstanding Volunteer; Savage and Associates, Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist; Anderson Foundation, Outstanding Foundation; Makenna Wagner, Outstanding Youth Philanthropist ages 5-17, and Megan Leiss, Outstanding Youth Philanthropist ages 18-23.

While it was not a fund-raiser, the event is expected to net about $10,000 for philanthropic programs, said event chairman Susan Harms of Aly Sterling Philanthropy. The local chapter president is Kathryn Fell of the Toledo-Lucas Country Public Library.

L-R, Judy Reitzel (in front), Luella Smith (in back), Connie Murphy (in red), and Mary Harman (in purple).

IT IS also the season for shopping. Holiday shopping has already begun for many. Country Garden Club's Holiday Trunk Show Oct. 8 and 9 was at Carranor Hunt and Polo Club in Perrysburg. Perrysburg's Holiday Open House was Nov. 14 at the shops in downtown Perrysburg with more than 20 businesses. Some folks attended Sister Gretchen's Annual Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale Nov. 15 for Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania. The University of Toledo Department of Art presented its Holiday Art Sale Nov.16 as part of the Arts Commission's Holiday Bus Loop.dc20e034-24ed-4acf-b390-2fa463a46af5

Shop the Block is today from 4 to 8 p.m. at Sophia Lustig Shop, Sophie's Sister, and Paula Brown Shop in downtown Toledo, and the Toledo Bar Auxiliary annual Trunk Show is Dec. 6 at the Toledo Club.

Gerri Neiling, Arlene Kipker, and Anne Marie Blank.

HOLLYWOOD Casino Toledo's "Hollywood Cares" committee collected donations of peanut butter and jelly from its team members over the past two weeks to benefit the local organization, Food for Thought. There was enough peanut butter and jelly collected to cover Food for Thought's needs for 17 weeks and feed almost 6,000 people.

The committee consists of casino employees that dedicate their time to community outreach initiatives that are important to them.

CHRIST Child Society of Toledo handed out coats, hats, and gloves to those in need via its Clothe-A-Child program Nov. 2, 9, and 16. Volunteers gathered at the old Mercy building on Lafayette and 22nd streets to give more than 700 coats.

HAVING a holiday party for charity or just for fun? Be sure to include me on your invitation list. I can't go if I don't know!

Contact Blade Society Writer Barbara Hendel at 419-724-6124 or at bhendel@theblade.com