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Sometimes fund-raising is masked as a fun-raiser, dressed up in the latest fashion, or taking center stage. These events had it all.

Grand Mardi Gras
St. John’s Jesuit High School guests couldn’t have asked for a better mix than that at Saturday’s Mardi Gras — a magnificent montage of dinner, dancing, drinks, and gambling in the commons area.

The seventh annual Reverse Raffle and Silent Auction, presented by the Mothers’ and Fathers’ clubs, welcomed more than 325 diners who greatly enjoyed a buffet-style dinner of chicken with mushroom Marsala wine sauce, campenelle pasta with marinara, foccacia bread and signature sun-dried tomato dipping oil, green beans with Canadian steak seasoning, and house salad catered by Bravo! Cucina Italiana. Managing partner Randy Dewey made sure everyone was full and pleased.

Entertaining at dinner were contemporary jazz presented by St. John’s Jazz Ensemble and the classic repertoire of the St. John’s Jesuit Jazz Machine. The groups were, as they say in the biz, “cookin’ tonight,” band director Xavier Smith said.

After dinner, guests moved on to the festivities. While people conversed, enjoyed the wine, beer, soda, and specialty drink bar, they danced to Tom Turner and Slow Burn. Big Six wheels, several Texas hold ’em tables, and of course, a big screen sporting the ticket numbers still in play for a chance to win the cash prize were on hand. St. John’s alumni Brian Breininger, Justin Thomas, and Troy Johnson chose to split the pot, each taking home $1,500.

Several generous donors contributed to about 30 silent-auction baskets containing 110 items, ranging from a six-month YMCA membership to New Ottawa Tavern pregame party to Mud Hens tickets and sky box. Ohio State fans were elated to see a football signed by two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin. The funds go to the parents’ clubs general funds used for the quarterly teacher award and other projects.

Last year’s proceeds paid for a film director residency at St. John’s Academy for seventh and eighth graders. Plus, “we’re in the process of donating a fairly large sum for the St. Martin de Porres’ food bank,” said Bill Fisher, who chaired the event with Teresa Muller. Their committee included Rick Strause and Mark Muller. Tallies aren’t totaled, but Mr. Fisher said the event netted more than last year’s $17,000.

More than 35 volunteers took great care of the attendees. The bartending staff, Brian and Deb Towns, Marty and Kelly Allen, and Larry and Jo Carder handed out each beverage with a smile. Dinner chairman Mona Pupos, along with co-chairman Vickie McClellan, looked quite festive in their authentic Mardi Gras beads and beaded headdresses. Trina Meadows did a spectacular job with the dinner centerpieces featuring feathers, masks, hats, and beads.

Enjoying great music, company, and games of chance were Charlotte Mariasy and her cousin Lee Murray, Paul and Lillian Antypas, Ann Martin, Al Leffler, principal Tim Malone, president Rev. Joaquin Martinez, Laura Baird, Maria Diment, Richard and Cheryl Wallace, Kevin and Judy McManus, Randy and Jody Shirk, and Greg and Jackie Oehlers.
— Julie Njaim

Focus on Youth

Who says there’s nothing for young people to do in Toledo? About 85 of them gathered downtown Wednesday at Avalon on Huron Street to spark up conversation, networking, and a little nightlife.

The event by Focus on Young People and Thosefellas also offered area young professionals a chance to hear from local politicians on issues of interest to them — from projects to make for a more vibrant downtown to creating a better school system for those who want to raise kids here. Ben Konop, Lucas County commissioner; Steven Steel, Toledo Board of Education president, and Lindsay Webb, Toledo councilman, all were there.

Tasty treats, including deep dish pizza, were donated by PizzaPapalis and singer-guitarist Steve Jad provided the tunes.

FYP founder Derek Feniger talked about creating a Yellow Pages specifically for Toledo’s young professionals. The group has a Facebook presence and its Web site is fyptoledo.com.

Acting against violence

In step with community and college troupes nationwide who present annual “V-Day” benefit performances of Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues, Toledo Repertoire Theatre raised $2,200 for the YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter on Feb. 14 in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at Owens Community College.

“This is the first time we’ve done it,” says Jori Jex, the Rep’s board president. She credited board member Barbara Barkan for suggesting the project and for arranging for free use of the center at Owens, where she’s the operating manager. “It was part of our EdgyRepReading series,” Ms. Jex adds. “This year we decided to do something for another organization, and to highlight the need for supporting these [women’s] groups.”

Ensler’s play explores violence against women and celebrates female sexuality. The special performance at Owens, directed by Amy Heuring, featured guest artists Chrys Peterson, WTOL-TV, Channel 11 news anchor; Julia Bates, Lucas County prosecutor, and Lisa McDuffie, the YWCA Toledo’s chief executive officer. They joined actors Anna Francis-Allegrini, Aggie Alt, Carol Ann Erford, Vicki Monhollen-Clyce, and Brandi Shepard on stage.

The evening included a pre-show reception and an informational display by the YWCA about the Battered Women’s Shelter. More than 350 men and women attended, though women made up the majority of the audience, Ms. Jex says. But the men got special recognition from the Rep’s artistic director, Gloria Moulopoulos.

“Gloria thanked the men in attendance,” Ms. Jex says. “She said, ‘You’re very brave.’”

Sound of style

THE CLOTHES were a symphony of color and style when the Toledo Opera Guild presented a fashion show as part of its Gala Luncheon on Feb. 11 at the Toledo Club.

Diane Rusk, general chairman of the luncheon, which benefits Toledo Opera, planned an extraordinary afternoon.

Spring fashions from Chico’s of Levis Commons were modeled by guild members, and Barrow’s Jewelers artisan Lisa Barrow created a one-of-a-kind work for the luncheon. A teardrop briolette ruby was suspended with a fine collar of 14-karat yellow gold and was signed by Lisa. The item was sold in a live auction run by Barbara Brown. Renay Conlin, Toledo Opera general and artistic director, won the bidding.

Among the guests were Linda McBee, Karen DeNune, Marianne Ballas, Allie Smith, Betty Barron, Yvonne Cothern, Mary Ann Tigges, Sarah Bertram, Pat Hunter, Susan Mason, Carol Sizemore, Cookie Westmeyer, Cindy Niggemyer, and Christine Goslin. Barbara Baumgartner is Opera Guild president.

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