Event boosts local mental health services

9/17/2017
BARB HENDEL
BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR
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    So Sweet Pastry's Iman Radi, left, Julie Daunhauer, center, and Aalaa Eldeib, served up confections at Unmasking Mental Health Thursday at International Park in Toledo.

    THE BLADE/KATIE RAUSCH
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    • More than one thousand supporters gathered for Unmasking Mental Health presented by ProMedica Foundations and Harbor Behavorial Health to advance mental health services and fight the stigma of mental illness.

    So far, more than $700,000 has been raised, and donations are still coming in. Organizers hope to hit the $1 million mark, said Denise Benton, event chairman with Kris Keating. They were assisted by committee members Deb Ernsthausen, Connie Feldstein, Betsy Jacoby-Greenleaf, Debbie Milnar, Andi Monoky, and many others.

    The event at International Park was held under a gigantic tent with clear sides and ceiling; crystal chandeliers; white, black, and silver drapery; living room settings, and tables centered with hydrangeas.

    Delectable cuisine from 30 of the area’s best restaurants tempted the taste buds, and fine wines and other spirits quenched thirsts as music from Venyx filled the air. Foods included soft pork tacos, lamb sliders, crab cakes, chicken piccata, and sushi. The Beirut/​Byblos restaurants, La Scola Italian Grill and Burger Bar 419, Mancy's restaurants, Georgio’s Cafe International, Evans Street Station, Manhattan's Pub 'N Cheer, Domo Sushi, and the Blarney Irish Pub are just a few of the eateries that served at the event.

    Seen were big donors and community philanthropists Joe and Judith Conda and daughter Susan Conda. Also seen were Tony Rasczyk, co-founder of the Heart and Soul event; Dr. Tim Valko and Jim Moore, Henry and Karen DeMain, Joel and Davie Epstein, and Shirley and Richard Joseph.

    A short program emceed by Chrys Peterson included greetings from ProMedica’s Randy Oostra, president and CEO, who said “tonight is about changing people’s lives.” Gary Cates, chief philanthropy officer, asked everyone to help remove the mask from mental health needs in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. One in five adults suffers from some form of mental illness, yet two-thirds of people with a diagnosable mental illness never seek professional help, he said.

    A portion of the net proceeds from the event will be returned to local foundations, and the majority will support Chrysalis, a residential treatment and transitional care facility for pregnant and postpartum women and their infants with addiction. An educational video gave insight on Chrysalis and mental health challenges. After that, Mr. Cates invited guests to step up to the challenge; envelopes were left on tables for guests to make donations.

    Then it was back to party, party, party. Hobnobbing were Darryl Lycourt, Diane and Tom Ohns, Kaiko and John Zureich, Karen Merrels, and Marcia and Steve Pisanti.

    Near the exit was a So Sweet Pastries smash bar of big chocolate chunks and a hammer for guests to break off a piece, representing breaking the stigma of mental health.

    SCHEDEL Arboretum & Gardens in Elmore hosted its 15th annual Hidden Garden Party. About 225 guests were greeted with champagne before they strolled the gardens as the Chris Buzzelli Trio played jazzy tunes. Gourmet grazing stations by Extra Virgin Food Services of Perrysburg were a hit for the afternoon affair.

    Lane and Chris Williamson were honored with the 2017 Jean T. Ward Distinguished Service Award. Hal Hawk, whose birthday was that day, was surprised with a cake and a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday to You” led by auctioneer Jerry Anderson of WTOL-TV, Channel 11. Michael and Jill Carrol won the bid for a thee week Mexico resort vacation.

    Seen were Ed and Linda Reiter, Marty and Kathy Holmes, John and Kay Harbal, Dr. Bill and Sue Horvath, Phil Rudolph, Jr., and his wife Mary Lou, Ed and Laura Harmon, Francis and Cindy Scruci, and Pat and Marilyn McAlear.

    About $75,000 was raised for the Schedel Foundation to enhance the garden’s educational programs.

    WOMEN & Philanthropy at the University of Toledo held its annual summer gathering at Ballas Buick GMC with Marianne Ballas, W&P founder, as hostess.

    Ladies sipped wine and beer and nibbled on edibles catered by The Beirut as Motown tunes filled the air. It is the 11th year of supporting the colleges and programs at the University of Toledo through various grants totaling more than $425,000, said Marcy McMahon, W&P chairman.

    Seen were former Toledo mayor Donna Owens, Fran Anderson and husband Dick, Pam Davis and husband Bill, Judge Linda Jennings and husband Bill, Christine Spengler, Nancy Ankney and husband Duane, Jo Wagoner and husband Mick, Dee Talmage and husband Dr. Lance Talmage, Magistrate Nancy Miller and husband Mike, Brian McMahon, Judy Miller and husband David, and Jane McQuade and husband Judge Dick McQuade.

    AREA movers and shakers were honored during the annual Benefactors Dinner presented by St. Francis de Sales School at the Toledo Club. Benefactors are those who give $1,000 or more annually.

    Inducted as emeritus board members were Dr. James F. Bingle, Dennis Johnson, John Schlageter, Winfried Walter, and Richard LaValley, Jr. Foundation Board inductees were George Booth and Daniel LaValley.

    Seen were Dr. Jeffery Stephens, Diana Stephens, Father Ronald Olszewski, Pat McGrady, Pamela McCarthy and Mike McCarthy, Jimmy Bingle, Austin Thomas, Raymond “Moose” Trautman, Phil Buerk, Jim Valiton, Mike and Judy McGowan, Tom and Jeanette McGuire, and John and Connie Schoen.

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