On the Town: Benefits, celebrations fill May social calendar

5/25/2014
BY BARBARA HENDEL
BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR
  • Mom-s-Nite-Out

    Dr. George Baibak, Daniel Johnson, Annie Johnson, and Baby Ellie, Dr. Baibak'€™s great granddaughter.


  • Fundraising, philanthropy, and volunteering for causes makes for fun times and personal gratification here in Toledo.

    Dr. George Baibak, Daniel Johnson, Annie Johnson, and Baby Ellie, Dr. Baibak'€™s great granddaughter.
    Dr. George Baibak, Daniel Johnson, Annie Johnson, and Baby Ellie, Dr. Baibak'€™s great granddaughter.

    THE 20th annual Mom’s Nite Out gala and auction "Empower" presented by The Anderson's recently at The Pinnacle celebrated Mom's House 21st anniversary. Christina Rodriguez, executive director, said the house strives to break the cycles of poverty and welfare by assisting low income single parents to achieve educational goals and parenting skills.

    Emcee Mary Beth Zolik of 101.5 The River, welcomed everyone. Ashley Cox, a Mom's House graduate, shared her story of how Mom's House helped her get from despair as a young single parent to becoming an effective mom, college graduate and a full time nurse. Jerry Anderson, of WTOL-TV, Channel 11 led the live auction filled with bidding wars. There was also a silent auction; both were during the station dining dinner.

    Mom's House founder Nancy Nudo hugged honoree Dr. George Baiback as he received a standing ovation. Dr. Baibak, a long time friend and advocate of Mom's House since its inception, announced a new endowment he is funding in remembrance of his late wife, the Patricia Baiback Memorial Endowment.

    PHOTO GALLERY: Click here for more photos from these events

    Board President Kaiko Zureich presented the second annual President’s Award to Siena Heights football player Donovan Campbell, who has spoken publicly about his responsibility as a father. He was not present but he was there in spirit.

    Guest speaker NBA and NCAA champion Derek Anderson, a father at age of 14, said his greatest accomplishment in life is fatherhood. His recent book Stamina, tells his story. He ate a lot of bread and bologna sandwiches along the way, but never smoked, drank alcohol, or took drugs. Since 11 years of age he was on his own, but the love and kindness of others got him through. He said it is all about work ethics, positive character, and attitude.

    Mr. Anderson came into town to help launch the new program at Mom's House: DAD'S (Dedicated Accountable Determined & Strong) Matter, for single fathers to have greater presence, accountability and positive impact in their lives children's lives.

    The event netted about $45,000. Kudos to event chairman and board VP Mike Kruse who was assisted by Elizabeth LaValley, LaValley Foundation; Eric Reimer, Hall of Framers; Amanda Graven and Laura Cohen, both of Mercy; and Mom's House mom's and staff.

    Among the nearly 300 supporters were Ken and Nancy Rusk of EverDry, Hal Reed of The Anderson's; Ken Fish of Toledo Community Foundation; and Dick and Kathy Faist, Brian and Olivia Albright, Rome Marinelli, and Barbara Tartaglia Poure.

    For information, visit www.MomsHouseToledo.org or call 419-241-5554.

    GIRL Friends Incorporated‘s 79th national conclave “Slip into Toledo ...The Glass City" was at the Park Inn and SeaGate Convention Center May 15-17 hosted by the Toledo Chapter.

    Over 350 African American professional women and spouses came from all over the country. The local chapter president is Rochelle Rollins who is also the national vice- president. Conclave chairman Lera Doneghy was assisted by co-chairman Marie Bush and their committee.

    The grand finale of the conclave was The Cinderella Ball May 17 at SeaGate Centre. Other events included the national president reception with National President Angela McAlister Berry; an Old School Sock Hop, and a Slip into Spring luncheon with a fashion show by Style DNA of Cleveland, which was coordinated by Frenchie Bush, daughter of local member, Marie Bush.

    Fund-raiser chairmen for Claire's Night were, from left, Angie Thetford, Cathy Trimble, and Kristin Zilke.
    Fund-raiser chairmen for Claire's Night were, from left, Angie Thetford, Cathy Trimble, and Kristin Zilke.

    CLAIRE's Night at the Children’s Library of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library downtown May 16 was the kickoff to Claire's Day book festival.

    Emcee Suzanne Carroll welcomed the over 150 supporters who came to help celebrate life, authors, illustrators and literacy. Nine guest authors/illustrators and storytellers were present for the kickoff and day.

    Event chairmen Cathy Trimble, Angie Thetford and Kristin Zilke estimate more than $15,000 netted from the kickoff for upcoming Claire’s Day programs and author visits to central city schools.

    Founder’s Julie and Brad Rubini were all smile's over the event in memory of their daughter, Claire Lynsey Rubini, who passed away at age 10, in 2000 from a heart condition. The 13 year old tradition embraces her favorite activities, including: telling stories and reading.

    Mingling were John and Yolanda Szuch, and Brenda Lee, Claire's Day board chairman.

    The next day, May 17, more than 5,000 people came to the Maumee Public Library for Claire's Day children's book festival where over 700 children were honored with a C.A.R.E. Award (Claire’s Award for Reading Excellence).

    For information visit www.clairesday.org or call 419-242-7323.

    THE Toledo Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. hosted its National Day of Fitness last month at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Toledo with 300 some attendees. The event, PASSPORT To Fitness: A Healthy Lifestyle Can Take You Places! was organized by chairmen Rhonda Sewell and Katina Johnson and is part of the national organization’s AIM for Healthy Living.Youth visited health stations where their mock passports were stamped after completion of a healthy activity.

    Numerous supporters and sponsors assisted with the event including ProMedica Clinical Dietician Chloe Berdan; Toledo Walleye; McDonald’s (Detroit Avenue location) owner Jon Harris; the University of Toledo Rockets Men’s Basketball and Football players; Dennis Hopson, Ohio Basketball Hall of Famer; Tiffani Blackman, Lourdes Lady Gray Wolves Basketball player; Angela Stewart, owner of Fabulously Fit ™, and Laneta Goings, of Books 4 Buddies, to name a few.