Youth-activities fund-raiser draws 150 to downtown Toledo arena

11/28/2010

Saturday night's mayor's ball at the Huntington Center was Toledo's first such event in recent years, and Mayor Mike Bell said he hopes to make it an annual tradition.

"This is not for me or a campaign, it's about doing something great to help kids," Mr. Bell said. The mayor wore a black tuxedo with red bow tie and cummerbund.

Guests wore tuxedos and shimmering evening gowns and nibbled on chicken brochettes and tenderloin.

Jen Sorgenfrei, Mayor Bell's spokesman, said about 150 people attended the ball.

"This is not political," she said. "It is an opportunity to raise money to support youth activities around the city."

Entertainment and food were to be paid for from the $150 admission charge, with remaining proceeds to be deposited into an account for the Toledo Community Foundation, organizers said.

"It is appropriate that the money be held by that organization until it can be allocated it to specific programs," Ms. Sorgenfrei said. "There are a lot of programs hosted by the schools or run independently by nonprofits."

The ball featured music by the Hepcat Revival band and was sponsored by Huntington National Bank, the Hollywood Casino, and Rudolph/Libbe Inc.