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Every day should be Mother’s Day, but it isn’t often moms get to step out on the town and raise money for a worthy cause too.

The Mom’s House annual gala and auction, “Mom’s Nite Out,” its Sweet 16th, presented by The Andersons, was Friday at the Crowne Plaza.

Black-covered chairs with pink bows were at white-linen covered tables centered with pink-iced cupcakes. Even the salad dressing — pink — matched the decor. Moms from Mom’s House were all gussied up and mingled with all the community movers and shakers. Diners were entertained by the Maumee Select Singers, who wore classy and sparkling dresses and tuxedos.

Silent and live auctions added to the fun. The host, Laura Emerson of FOX Toledo, assisted by last year’s honoree, Mary Beth Zolik of WRVF-FM 101.5 The River, kept the evening going.

Board president Jim Poure said Ohio has the highest rate of teen pregnancy. Right now, 30 girls are at the house and 100 are waiting. One former resident tearfully said Mom’s House is one of Toledo’s best-kept secrets. Going to school full time and getting passing grades, volunteering each week, and taking care of their children are major commitments.

Recognized was longtime supporter George Baibak, whose late wife, Pat, helped start Mom’s House. The parents’ activity room was named after Bill and Michelle Sheehan. Nancy Nudo was also honored for her service.

Because it takes about $500 a month to support one mom at the facility, an Adopt-a-Mom program tries to help out. Already in on the action are Ken Rusk and Maynard Sauder who each adopted a mom.

There were a few special announcements: Those fancy- wrapped bottles of wine, compliments of The Andersons, gave everyone a sneak peek at the new logo of Mom’s House, and the bottles of the vino bearing the label were for sale that night. The logo, designed by Joe Pinciotti, will not be released until June.

The house will be expanding to accommodate more moms, so a capital campaign will start this summer and end in 2013, in time for its 20th anniversary. And the University of Toledo donated a scholarship to all high school moms in the house who graduate.

Then Fran Anderson, the star of the night, got a chance to shine as Mom of the Year.

So many words to describe the woman: kind, caring, organized, practical, disciplined, and fun are just a few. Her husband of 56 years, Dick, said she makes him smile from the time he wakes until the time he falls asleep. Her children, via a video, proudly said “We love you.”

Mrs. Anderson, one of 13 children who raised six children and who dotes on 24 grandchildren, said: “Love, nurture, and respect your children and they will respect you.”

Mrs. Anderson said her mother was the first mom of the year many moons ago in Maumee. She joked that she thought they made a mistake when she found out she was chosen, but quickly gave a few words of wisdom: It’s work, then play. She went on to say she believes in actor Michael J. Fox’s formula for success: have passion about something, look for options, and have a support system.

Event chairman Kaiko Zureich was aided by Mike Kruse, Susie Nowak, Kristin Kirk, Chris Gulgin, Mickey Cooper, Paula Massey, and David Mallory, who gathered all of the sports memorabilia for the auction. The event is expected to net $20,000.

Club goes Green
THE Toledo Country Club’s annual formal dinner dance, Spring Gala Gone Green, was Saturday night. And just as the invitation said, the club went green, from the green paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling to the green-covered tables, all accented with pink and white.

The food itself went green too, with organic and locally grown foods. Yum. Organic sesame infused risotto cake, wild caught ahi-tuna, organic egg and beet salad, wild strawberry balsamic intermezzo, all natural petite filet, free-range chicken, organic chocolate cake with Michigan cherry mousse, and more.

But it didn’t stop there. Some women wore recycled items.

To top it all off, in honor of each couple in attendance, the club made a donation to conservation efforts.

Outside of the Box
It waS a full house with standing room only for Boxing Night, Round Two at the Toledo Club Thursday night. The crowd of more than 200, mainly men with a few ladies, sipped their favorite libations and feasted on a heavy-duty, 14-ounce steak dinner. Then it was time to shout it out for their favorite boxer. Fans included the many parents of the boxers, all local youth.

The event, which was $75 each plus a cash bar, was a wine-but-no-cigar deal. But stogies’ fans can light up soon during a scotch and cigar night at the club.

Hurrah for Paw Hurrah
THE totals are in for the eighth annual Paw Hurrah: A celebration of saving the dogs and cats of our community that was held May 2 at the Toledo Country Club. And in spite of the economy, the event, thanks to the sponsors, volunteers, and nearly 200 participants, netted about $32,000.

That’s according to event chairmen Jen Frey, Merin DeLucia, and Doy DiNardo, plus the treasurer, Kim Hillyer, of Planned Pethood Inc. Cliff Smithers of K100 took charge as the celebrity auctioneer. The “Pepsi Mud Hen Suite” package was won by Bob Esplin. Dr. Esplin’s own “Spend the day with vet, Bob Esplin” ignited a bidding war between Judi Bronk and PPI Board president Carol Dunn. Ms. Bronk won.

The Hilton Head condo donated by board member Kittsen McCumber was won by Deb Buker. It was Sheila DeBrock who won the “Opening Night at Mama Mia” package, with four tickets, dinner at HJ’s, and limo service.

Between shopping at the live and silent auction and perusing the scene, party-goers feasted on a “Street Fare” menu of sliders, hot dogs, build-your-own stuffed potato, fish and chips, and more.

When the puppies and kittens for adoption stopped by to visit, Scott Buker, Deb and Les Buker’s son, fell in love with Tiffanie, one of the golden Lab puppies. He immediately filled out the online application on his Blackberry. The next morning he showed up to adopt the puppy.

A fiesta mood
Re/Max Preferred Associates group was in a fiesta mood as it hosted its eighth annual Cinco de Mayo Party at the Avalon Downtown. Estimates were that the Thursday night benefit netted $14,000 this year for Children’s Miracle Network and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organizations.

That’s thanks to sponsors, including Fifth Third Bank, volunteers, and the more than 320 guests.

Kathy Kuyoth and John Mangas, broker-owners, said it is a fun way to give something back to the community.

And fun it was. The Menus band from Cincinnati was the featured entertainment. Meanwhile, guests shopped the auctions and sated appetites with all kinds of tasty foods, including Mr. Mangas’ homemade salsa. Heading up the food committee was Nancy Montrie. Running the show were Debbie Petersheim, Joan Rauh, Cindi Kurtz, and Marcia Rubini. The median age of the crowd was 40 to 50-something earlier during the evening. The 20 to 30-something crowd showed up later.

Strikes at child abuse
THE totals are in for the second annual Yell & Tell: Stop Child Abuse Now bowling tournament that was May 2 at Interstate Lanes.

The event, sponsored by the University of Toledo’s Main Campus electricians, netted about $2,000, said Pam Crabtree, president of Yell and Tell.

Sen. Teresa Fedor and former state fire marshal Michael Bell were fierce rivals; Mr. Bell won by three pins. But Ms. Fedor’s mother, Loretta Taylor, beat both her daughter and Mr. Bell. Also on a roll were Sandi Nugent, Lucas County Child Abuse Prevention program coordinator and JoAnne Carson, Wood County Child Abuse Prevention program coordinator, and Roger Kwapich, owner of Smitty’s Automotive, and his son Paul.

The cost to attend was a steal at $10 a person. The price included a silent auction and a DJ. Plus, the top scorers in the male, female, and girl and boy categories for the 61 bowlers won trophies. The girls and boys winners were Shenece Garrett and A.J. Whitmore. The adult winners were Barb Whitmore and Mike Borchart. UT electrician George Hayes played emcee and other electricians, including Doug Peatee, Glenn Mathiesen, John Janowski, Rick Kaliniak, and Ron Condon volunteered too.

Nothing trivial here
Do you know the answer? When was Trivia Night held for at Mary Immaculate School for children with unique learning needs? Answer: April 24 in the school’s gym. And while no one asked this, the chairmen were Dan LaValley and Sandy Viviano. Before the game, the 168 attendees tailgated for dinner. Among the crowd were Nancy Smythe, Jim and Nancy Bingle, Bob and Penny O’Brien, George and Carol Koury, and Ronnie and Kelly Wingate.

Competition was fierce; mulligans were sold to help players out when they didn’t know an answer. Those not in the games shopped the silent auction as they watched the tourney.

The estimated net is close to $10,000, a not-so-trivial amount.

Sal’s many pals
The totals are in for the Sal’s Pals seventh annual charity on April 25 at St. Francis de Sales to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The event, named for 7-year-old Sal Pinardo, who has cystic fibrosis, netted more than $100,000. Donations are still rolling in.

Rick and Jenny Pinardo, Sal’s parents, hosted the evening. They had lots of help, including 50 volunteers.

The 600 supporters at the sold-out event enjoyed tasty foods donated by Sofo Foods, Shorty’s Barbecue, Fat Fish Blue, Mamma Ramirez Catering, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Handel’s Ice Cream, Trotters, Ski’s, Don Pablo’s, Lisa’s Cake House, and Lena’s Italian Restaurant. Emcee George Sarantou kept things lively. Silent and live auctions, with Jim Moody as the auctioneer, added to the fun.

Special was the recognition of those who have been extra supportive. UPS received the Sponsor of the Year Award for their contributions to Sal’s Pals and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Maria Jiannuzzi, Sal’s aunt, received the Volunteer of the Year Award.

Sisters’ soiree
THE Little Sisters of the Poor hosted their “Soiree at the Pinnacle” annual dinner and auction April 23 at The Pinnacle. And again, despite the economy, the event drew more than 130 guests who helped net $40,000. The proceeds support services and programs for the residents of Sacred Heart Home for the Elderly in Oregon. Part of the funds also go toward mattresses, a food-warming cart, and gas for the senior center’s transport vehicle.

Diners were treated to an energetic performance by the cast of St. Francis de Sales’ high school musical, Anything Goes.

Rudy Thorenson received a special service award for 40 years of dedicated service as a “Bath Man.” The Bath Men are a group of area gentlemen who bathe the elderly male residents every Saturday morning. This act of simple charity affords the male residents their dignity and respect and a needed service for the Sacred Heart Home. Highlight of the evening was an announcement by Mother Anne Joseph Doyle, who said the founder of the Little Sisters of the Poor religious order, Blessed Jeanne Jugan, will be canonized a saint by Pope Benedict XVI, in Rome on Oct. 11. A local celebration will be held Oct. 22 at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral in Toledo.

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