Fund-raiser benefits children, families

Jill and Nathan Bailey, of Defiance, pose for a photograph with Ronald McDonald during the the 4th Annual Heartwarming Party to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.

THE BLADE/KATIE RAUSCH
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Jill and Nathan Bailey, of Defiance, pose for a photograph with Ronald McDonald during the the 4th Annual Heartwarming Party to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The Fourth Annual Heart Warming Nov. 9 to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio at the Hilton Garden Inn in Perrysburg was a smashing success, with an estimated net of $85,000. The organization provides temporary home-like accommodations and a caring environment to families whose children are receiving medical care. It also provides grants and funding to projects and organizations that enrich children’s lives.

The “jeans to jewels” attire event with dining stations and music by 56 Daze was a fun night with auctions and mystery boxes. Ronald McDonald House-themed and flower cut-out cookies from a variety of local bakeries created cheery centerpieces that doubled as dessert.

Several folks were table sponsors including Emmett and Pati Boyle, Jill and Mike Ducey, Mike and Kelly Hart, Katie Schueler, and Peggy Youssef.

Sashem Brey of WTVG-TV, Channel 13 was emcee. A heartwarming video by Hart Associates showed a family who benefited from the house, and Jarred Wise, who was a patient at Toledo Children’s Hospital, eloquently told his story.

Board president Dick Fuller poses for a photograph during the the 4th Annual Heartwarming Party to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Many supporters shopped the nearly 100 silent auction items. Keys were sold for $20 to Open the Door to the house which had $3,000 worth of prizes including two-round trip tickets anywhere in the continental United States aboard Delta Airlines. Greta Szabo was the winner.

Auctioneer Craig Herschel of Signature Associates enticed folks to bid for the cause in the Share a Night auction and raised $45,000. He is a member of the Red Shoe Society that supports the house.

Among the 410 guests at the sold-out event were Darryl Lycourt, Jr., Gary and Trish Yunker, Jane Stutz, Susan Conda, Terry and Denise Benton, MaryAnn and Bob Michel, Jason Chan, John and Andi Monoky, Crawford Strunk, Cathy Nelson, Brad Augustyniak, Mike Wilkins, and board president Dick Fuller, circulation director of The Blade, sporting a bright yellow and red shirt and sweater in honor of McDonald’s. The only one who was more colorful was Ronald McDonald himself, who posed with guests for pictures and assisted on stage throughout the night.