Week of 9.25.17

Ted Lindsay Foundation Celebrity Golf Outing

The 175 golfers who participated in the Ted Lindsay Foundation Celebrity Golf Outing at the Detroit Golf Club were joined by another 115 for cocktails, a silent auction ($14,000) and dinner following play. The program that followed Fr. Donald Worthy’s tribute to the memory of Joanne Lindsay and Dr. Jack Finley was emceed with good humor by Mickey Redmond and Ken Daniels. It had highlights. Austin, TX researcher Laura Hewitson, PhD. reported promise of early blood biomarkers for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Courage awards were presented to Judson Joseph Scott II, age 24, who was diagnosed with autism at age 3; Tracey Cohen, who was diagnosed at age 39 after graduating from Michigan and serving in the Peace Corps; and Joe and Laura Vivano’s family. WJR’s Frank Beckmann garnered $17,500 in a brief live auction. Golf winners were announced. These included Ashley Ptasnik, Steve Ptasnik, Kasey Houquard, Kim Houquard and celebrity Anthony Mantha who were best on the north Course and Vicari, John Vicari, Mike Panutto, Bob Krause and celebrity Ryan Sproul. Who were best on the South Course. The ticket of Edna Gadsby, widow of Hockey Hall of Famer Bill Gadsby, was drawn as the winner of the Chrysler 300 that car dealer Dick Scott donated in memory of Joanne Lindsay. While vamping for 50/50 raffle selling time Redmond explained why Canadian hockey players who retire from the Red Wings stay in Detroit. “People open their hearts here,” he said. And when 92-year-old Ted Lindsay took the mike to thank everybody for supporting autism research and education he noted, “When bad things happen, dig in and fight like hell.” Not counting the generous Kroger donation of $137,000, the 17th annual event raised $140,000 plus $71,000 gross for the car raffle.

Hall & Hunter Habitat for Humanity Estate Sale

Hall & Hunter Realtors’ 14th annual estate sale benefiting Habitat for Humanity Oakland attracted hundreds of shoppers to the tented parking lot in Birmingham. One eye-popping item they saw was a baby grand piano (it sold for an undisclosed amount) but the sofas were the hot sellers. They had also provided comfortable seating the night before during the Estate Sale Preview Party, at which purchases cost a 30 percent premium. Pam Gray and Gillian Lazar have chaired this charity project almost since its inception. Bet the local resident who realized a laughable $4-profit from a professionally managed estate sale wishes she had donated her treasurers to this one and taken the charity donation on her tax form. Thanks also to generous sponsors (see photo gallery) it raised $22,000 for Habitat.

The Community House Birmingham House Tour

The 30th annual Birmingham House Tour attracted more than 813 ($40, $45 ticket) to explore the seven unique homes graciously opened by their generous owners for the Community House fundraiser. More than 200 volunteers served as docents at the homes. They ranged from a traditional Tudor to a 1950s colonial re-imagined into a live/work mid-century marvel to a showcase for local artists. Another was so maintenance free it even had a rear yard of synthetic grass. For the 13th year Hall & Hunter Realtors was the presenting sponsor. Other sponsors included Gorman’s Home Furnishings and Interior Design, Ethan Allen, Bank of Ann Arbor – Birmingham Branch and mBank, which hosted the inaugural Benefactor Reception a week previous to the tour at their Brown Street offices. It featured cocktails, a strolling dinner catered by The Community House and expressions of gratitude by TCH CEO Bill Sekler. Especially to H&H’s Dennis and Brad Wolf and honorary chairs Rose and Brian Bolyard. Their involvement resulted in proceeds expected to top $63,000.

New Day Foundation for Families’ Hope Shines Gala

The New Day Foundation for Families hosted 340 supporters at Eastern Market for a joyful celebration of 10 years in service to families fighting cancer. The Rochester-based non-profit raised a record $180,000 through live and silent auctions, trip raffles, dedicated giving and sponsors. (See photo gallery.). After guests enjoyed a surf and turf dinner, Ben Sharkey closed out the evening with dance music. However, the highlights of the evening were speakers – keynoter Family Reach CEO Carla Tardif and New Day co-founder Gina Kell Spehn. Both organizations alleviate the financial burden of cancer. “(Supporting families financially) is part of the treatment, it’s part of the cure,” Tardiff noted. Spehn spoke about parents who are drowning in debt fighting cancer. Their plight was highlighted in a new video. In it one mother declares, “...it’s more than the money; it’s knowing that people care. You are not going down today.”

Check in the coming weeks for reports & photos from these events:

Evans Scholars Hickory Stick Invitational

Yatooma Foundation’s Rock Star Gala

Beaumont Foundation Wine for the Spirit

Preservation Bloomfield Corn Roast

Children’s Leukemia Foundation Afternoon of Hope

The Children’s Center Tour de Fork

Reggie Jackson’s DETermined to Assist Foundation Pistons & Plates

American Cancer Society’s Cattle Baron’s Ball

Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304, email SamGerak@aol.com or call (248) 646-6390.