Around Town: Over the Edge for Victory hits new heights
9/14/2017
Spiderman, Don Zellers from iHeart Media, rappells for the Victory Center fund-raiser.
KURT NIELSEN PHOTOGRAPHY
OVER the Edge for Victory presented by ProMedica, a rappelling experience for charity sake, raised nearly $110,000 for the Victory Center’s free programs and services for cancer patients, survivors, and their families.
Those who dared, rappelled from the 16th floor of the Toledo Edison Building in downtown last week. Ranging in age from 20 to 70-something, 80 participants registered in advance, and two more registered on the spot. Each participant raised at least $1,000 for the privilege of jumping off the roof, so to speak.
Sponsor categories such as “Toss the Boss” enticed employees to chip in to watch their boss take the challenge. Sponsors, including Shumaker, Loop, & Kendrick, Therma-Tru Doors, Buckeye Broadband, Mercy Health, and White Family Collision Center, threw money in the pot too.
The top two individual fund-raisers were Itzel Krauss, vice president of the Victory Center’s board, and Boo Hensien.
Notables who stepped off the rooftop were Randy Oostra, Tod Kowalczyk, Bob Thompson, Drs. Chuck and Carolyn Gbur, Dr. Robin Shermis, Stephanie White, Tom Dillon, Dr. Thomas Flanigan, and more.
FALCON family members of BGSU gathered last weekend to be recognized for their support of the university. A total of 13,808 people, including alumni, friends, and students, and 498 corporations and foundations provided more than $23.1 million in fiscal year 2017.
A reception recognized major donors. The Presidents Club lauds donations of $15,000 or more; the Leadership Circle, $1,000 or more in the last fiscal year; Carillon Society, gifts for three years or more, and the 1910 Society for planned gifts. Among those recognized were Gary and Rose Hess, a ’66 grad, and Patrick and Debra Scheetz Ryan, both ’74 grads.
Many Golden Falcons, or alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago, made gifts. Graduating seniors who made their first gift to BGSU while still a student were bestowed the title of “Forever Falcon.” Max Williamson ’59, foundation board chairman, said he is proud to serve BGSU. He and his 10 siblings all attended the university. Hannah Finnerty, a junior, thanked the audience for her scholarship. Bravo! BG, a showcase of the university's arts community, raised more than $60,000.
“As we move forward with our Changing Lives for the World comprehensive campaign, it is my hope that every member of the Falcon family will support this campus with their time, treasure, or talent,” university President Mary Ellen Mazey said.
BINGO! The Fraternal Order of Eagles of Maumee has a new idea for fund-raising: designer purse bingo. The Eagles women called the numbers and verified the winners of the 20 bingo games for chances to win designer purses. Winners chose from bags that included labels of Michael Kors, Coach, Rebecca Minkoff, Kate Spade, and Marc Jacobs.
About $2,500 was raised for Read for Literacy.
FORMER Toledo Rockets football coach Gary Pinkel is releasing a new book, The 100-Yard Journey: A Life in Coaching and Battling for the Win, on Friday.
A book signing will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble at the University of Toledo.
In the book, Pinkel talks about his personal and professional life along the way to success, including a divorce, a threatened team boycott that made national news, and surviving non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor. Contact her at:bhendel@theblade.com or 419-724-6124.