Week of 5.14.18

Grace Centers of Hope Fashion Luncheon

The 20th annual Women Helping Women benefit chaired by Shannon Lazovski attracted 540 ($100 ticket) to the Royal Park Hotel for silent auction bidding, ($32,425) raffle drawings ($7,890) and inspirational remarks by Pastor Kent and Dr. Pam Clark during the luncheon program emceed by WXYZ’s Ann Marie LaFlamme. Other highlights included two videos. One featured dramatic stories by GCH graduates; the other featured GCH residents and Luigi Bruni, who has happily done their pre-runway makeovers for 14 years. Cheryl Hall Lindsay’s trademark narration of the fashion show – from the personal notes about the GCH youngsters who kicked it off in outfits from Carson’s to the RGA models in Katrina Bocci wedding gowns that concluded it – made it memorable. It also included five GCH women in apparel from Max Mara, Lilly Pulitzer, LK Bennett London, Rachelle Willnus Hats, Halston Heritage, Christiane La Rue. Thanks also to generous sponsors, the milestone anniversary event grossed $176,973 to impact the lives of vulnerable women seeking faith-based hope and healing sans government funding.

Roeper Scholarship Dinner

Nearly all of the 175 Roeper School loyalists ($75 ticket) who attended the Marian Hoag Scholarship Dinner began the evening at the Prelude gathering hosted by Head of School David and Elane Feldman in the Butterfly House at the Detroit Zoo. Diversions included learning which dinner party in a private home each would attend (see photo gallery for the names of dinner hosts), sipping champagne, checking out the butterflies and bidding on the 27 artistic class projects displayed in a silent auction on the balcony. (See some in the photo gallery.) But the program provided the notable memories. Roeper alum parent Amy Good’s dramatic, personal testimony to the importance of the school’s financial assistance was followed by her daughter Amy Fink’s description of her formative Roeper memories and their influence on her life as a junior high science teacher since graduating from Harvard. They both earned a standing ovation and inspired very spirited donating (more than $35,000) during the Paddle Raise conducted by Mike Maltase. Thanks also to sponsors and one live auction donation from Olympic Gold Medalist Charlie White ’05, the evening raised more than $80,000 for financial aid at the school.

Detroit Zoological Society Conservation Gala

More than 120 guests attended DZS’s second annual Wildlife Conservation Gala presented by Ford Motor Company. They relished cocktails and hors d’oeuvres followed by a sit-down dinner in the iconic Wildlife Interpretive Gallery at the Detroit Zoo. Themed “Standing up to Extinction,” the event included a multi-media presentation highlighting the DZS’s worldwide work to save species from extinction. The event highlight was the presentation of the Nautilus Award to the Holtzman Wildlife Foundation, whose tenacious energy, focus, passion and generosity is helping conserve wildlife around the world. The evening netted more than $69,000 for the Detroit Zoological Society’s wildlife conservation programs. The next DZS fundraiser is the wildly popular Sunset at the Zoo Friday, June 8. The 21-and-older event presented by Strategic Staffing is held rain or shine. Plans include a strolling supper with tastes of signature dishes from 45 of the area’s finest restaurants as well as desserts and zoo-themed specialty drinks, live entertainment by Detroit Flyhouse and the Kuungana Drum and Dance Troupe, live music by The Jerry Ross Band and Tom Butwin, dancing under the stars, live and silent auctions, and access to many of the Zoo’s award-winning animal habitats. Attire is “summer chic”.

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

Project 1 Whose Your Bartender

Gleaners Women’s Power Events

Michigan Women’s Foundation Lights, Courage Action!

Meadow Brook Theatre Guild Luncheon on the Aisle

Christ Child Society Boutique and Luncheon

Oakland County Bar Foundation Signature Event

Cranbrook Academy of Art STUDIO

Older Persons’ Commission Night in Monte Carlo

The Alzheimer’s Association Spring Soiree

ORT and the City

SKY Foundation Women’s Event

HAVEN’s Blossom Gala

Spirit of Manresa Banquet

Walsh College Springfest

The Community House Birmingham Downs

Variety, the Children’s Charity Hearts & Stars

Angels Place WINGS Evening of Spring Fashion

Women Rock Science

ALS Center of Excellence Film

Suite Dreams Project Hats Off Luncheon

Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival 25th Anniversary Founders Gala

AHEAD FOR SOCIAL LIGHTS

Nancy Hodari & Toni Sova are chairing the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Spring Ingo Health, Wellness & Style Event 11 am, Thursday, May 17 at the Townsend Hotel. Plans include guest speaker author Michael Tonello, a silent auction, ultimate raffle, a compelling testimonial from Mission Moment Speaker Brandon Pomish and presentation of the 2018 Harriett Fuller Uniting to Care & Cure honoree Dr. Robert DiPilla. For tables and tickets ($185-patron; $285-benefactor) go to events at http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/chapters/michigan/.

Paddy Lynch is hosting the Young Angels Night Out 5:30 – 9 pm, Thursday, May 17 at his historic Arden Park Historic District of Detroit manse. Plans include cocktails, bites from Detroit restaurants, casual entertainment and touring the renovated former Stanley Kresge estate. The Young Angels Association comprises the young adult supporters of Angels’ Place’s homes and life enhancing services for persons with developmental disabilities. For tickets ($40, 2 for $60) go to

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ef5vged6e332938e&llr=oxk5kmeab .

Ruth Porter, Isabelle Smith, Eileen Evans, Sally Parsons and Nancy Breithart are chairing the University of Michigan Birmingham Alumnae Club’s scholarship benefit dinner Rhapsody in Blue & Gold 6 pm, Thursday, May 17 at Orchard Lake Country Club. Plans include cash bar, dinner, and presentation by professor Mark Claque about the Gershwin Library at the School of Music, Theater and Dance. For a reservation ($75) call Breithart by May 7 at 248--641-7209.

Beth Cafaro is chairing Eisenhower Dance Detroit 27th Annual Gala 6 pm, Friday, May 18 at Detroit’s Garden Theater. Plans include valet parking, cocktails, a short dance performance by the company, dinner, dancing and a silent auction. For tickets ($140-paatron; $90-junior patron; $1,400-table) call 248-877-2860 or go to www.Eisenhowerdance.org .

Beaumont Health will be honored at Starfish Family Services Great Hearts Gala 6 pm, Friday, May 18 at Ford Field. Plans include valet parking, cocktails, dinner, a live auction and afterglow dance party. For tickets ($225; $500-patron) go to https://www.starfishgala.org/buy-tickets/.

Joyce Weishaar and the Hon. Kathleen M. McCarthy are chairing The Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan’s third Annual Wine Tasting fundraiser 7-10 pm, Saturday, May 19 on the 32nd floor of the Guardian Building (500 Griswold Street, Detroit). Plans include fine wine, cool jazz and hors-d’oeuvres in an art deco setting with spectacular views of Downtown Detroit. The event also features an architectural tour conducted by Detroit Art Deco Society VP Rebecca Binno Savage. Sponsored by Joseph Aiello & Associates in Troy, Secure-24 of Southfield and longtime Furniture Bank supporters Francine and David Zick, proceeds will benefit the Pontiac-based Furniture Bank. It recently expanded services from Oakland and Macomb Counties to begin helping vulnerable families in Detroit and Wayne County establish a new home. For tickets ($60) go to www.furniture-bank.org/events/wine-tasting or call 248.332.1300 Ext. 206 or by email events@furniture-bank.org.

Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss’ Judith Greenstone Miller and Hennessey Engineers’ Joan Hennessey are chairing the 5th annual Women’s Power Happy Hour 5:30 – 7:30 pm, Tuesday, May 22 at the MGM Grand. For tickets go to www.womenspowerbreakfast.org. The founding chair is Dulcie Rosenfeld. Skillman Foundation’s Tonya Allen is the honorary presenter. Honorary chairs are Jessie Beld Elliott, Amanda Fisher, Jennifer Granger and Vivian Pickard.

Artist Tom Maniaci (Frame Your Face) is hosting his ninth annual Art of Giving 7 – 11 pm, Thursday, May 24 in The Elm Room inside Vinotecca (formerly The Bird & Bread). This year it will benefit S.O.U.L. (supportouruniquelearners.com). Plans include a silent auction, a raffle, live auctions of a Frame Your Face paint-by-number canvas and Matt Richmond's Paper Dress Code dresses based on the artwork of Detroit-area artists Tony Roko, Kim Fujiwara, Carl Lundgren and Tom Maniaci signed by the artists, food by Vinotecca, signature cocktails and special appearance by The Detroit Piston Dancers. Tickets are $75 online, $100 at the door. Go to FrameYourFace.com, supportouruniquelearners.com or vinotecca.com.

Margaret & GM’s Michael Simcoe are chairing the 2018 PwC Grand Prixmiere presented by Chevrolet 6:30 pm, Friday, June 1 at Belle Isle State Park. Plans include cocktails, dinner, big auction prizes and entertainment trackside overlooking the magnificent Scott Fountain. For sponsorships or a limited number of individual tickets ($600) call Alex Doherty at 313-655-1700 or go to https://www.belleisleconservancy.org/grand-prixmiere . Proceeds benefit Belle Isle Conservancy programs.

The South Oakland Shelter 3rd annual Rent Party is 7 pm, Saturday, June 2 at Paddy Lynch’s historic Detroit home in the Arden Park-East Boston Edison Historic District. Plans include self parking with shuttle, three stages of jazz curated by the top local music venues of the genre, a strolling dinner and open bar. For sponsorships and tickets ($125, $250-VIP includes 5-7 pm tour of neighboring homes) https://my.southoaklandshelter.org/rentparty .

On Monday, June 4, The Drive for Life Invitational will support oncology patient programs and services at the Walter & Marilyn Wolpin Comprehensive Breast Care Center at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak and the Wilson Cancer Resource Center at Beaumont, Troy. This two-venue event offers golf at Oakland Hills Country Club chaired by Chris Emde, Steven Howard and Ryan March and a competitive bridge and canasta tournament for card players at Bloomfield Hills Country Club chaired by Bobbi Polk and Julie Beals. Cocktails and a strolling dinner for all at Oakland Hills Country Club conclude the day. Sponsorship packages and Individual tickets for golf, cards and dinner are available. To find out more, purchase tickets, or become a sponsor, call (248) 551-5317 or visit www.beaumont.org/giving/foundation-events

Marianne Bolton, Carolyn Andree, Sue Nine and Lisa Wilson are chairing the 17th Anniversary Celebration of Samaritan Center Thursday, June 7. Plans include 5:30 pm dinner at Cuisine restaurant followed by 8 pm performance of “Motown the Musical” at the Fisher Theatre. For tickets ($200) call Karen at 517-423-7556.

Shannon & Terry Harvill are chairing Sunset at the Zoo 7 – 11 pm, Friday, June 8. The 21-and-older event presented by Strategic Staffing is held rain or shine. Plans include a strolling supper with tastes of signature dishes from 45 of the area’s finest restaurants as well as desserts and zoo-themed specialty drinks, live entertainment by Detroit Flyhouse and the Kuungana Drum and Dance Troupe, live music by The Jerry Ross Band and Tom Butwin, dancing under the stars, live and silent auctions, and access to many of the Zoo’s award-winning animal habitats. Attire is “summer chic”. For tickets ($175-supporter in advance, $200-at the door; $325-patron in advance, $350-at the door, include a 5:30 – 7 pm VIP reception sponsored by ITC Holdings Corp. in the African Grasslands) go to www.detroitzoo.org/sunset . Proceeds support the Detroit Zoological Society’s wide array of education programs.

Christine and David Colman and Susu Sosnick are chairing the ChildSafe Legends of Tomorrow Gala Friday, June 8 at the Townsend Hotel. Plans include the VIP reception at 6 pm in the Clancy room, gala reception at 7 in the Main Ballroom Lobby, cocktails, dinner, brief program, live auction and musical entertainment. For sponsorships and tickets ($300, $500-VIP and up) contact Ashley Hudson at 248-554-6413.

Beth Gothelf and Bob Canvasser are chairing the JVS Strictly Business luncheon Thursday, June 14 at the MGM Grand. GM’s Mark Reuss will be the keynote speaker. Plans also include valet parking, networking, cash bar and lunch plus award presentations to Broder & Sachse Real Estate, Inc and Fuse45’s Samantha Friedman. For sponsorships and tickets ($150 and up) go to http://www.jvsdet.org/events/strictly-business-2018.html .

The 15th anniversary of Salute America is 7 pm, Friday, June 22 at The Lafayette Grande in Pontiac. Plans for the Lighthouse of Oakland County benefit include a 1940's Americana theme (with musical entertainment provided by the Rhythm Society Orchestra - a "big band" specializing in true vintage swing music of the '30s and '40s, valet parking, a seated dinner, complimentary open bar, silent and live auction, a presentation highlighting how your support makes a difference, as well as a special tribute to honoree Andy Meisner. Sponsors arrive at 6 pm. For sponsorships and tickets ($150, $250) got to https://www.lighthouseoakland.org/expo/index.php/events.

Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Dan Loepp is chairing the executive committee of the Parade Company’s Ford Fireworks Rooftop Party Monday, 5:30 – 11 pm, Monday, June 25 atop the Center Garage adjacent to the Renissance Center. Plans include Andiamo cuisine, Your Generation in concert, games and activities for all ages and the best seats in town for viewing the 60th annual Ford Fireworks. For tickets ( ($275-adult, $125-child 6 & under) call 313-923-7400 ext 244. The rain date is Tuesday, June 26.

Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304 or email SamGerak@aol.com