Week of 8.20.18

Women's Fund of Rochester Summer Soiree

Perhaps Rochester’s most famous humanitarian – Meadow Brook Hall founder, the late Matilda Dodge Wilson – arranged the weather for the event staged on the terrace there by a group of current philanthropists. Many of the 120 guests ($65 or $120 ticket) commented on how perfect it was as they socialized, sipped, nibbled and bought chances on one of the 12 raffle packages donated by the WFR board. (This is comprised of Sue Upton, Kathy Bogdziewwicz, Lynn Florek, Barb Cenko, Kelly Dean, Judy De Steiger, Christina Hogan, Erika Kruse, Kathy McCarter, Lynn Oates and Lori Roscoe.) Conversations and violinist Harry Hovakimian paused for a brief program emceed by WFR president Sue Upton in which Rochester Area Neighborhood House’s Katie Lamb thanked the donors for one of the 2017 WFR grants. Since 1968, the RANH has been taking clients from crisis to self-sufficiency with its food pantry, clothes closet and parenting and financial literacy classes. The grant will support an Employment Initiative developed in partnership with Kelly Services. Career Dress and the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan are the other two non-profits who received 2017 grants from the Women’s Fund. Bill Sternfels then received warm applause when he announced a donation to the WFR Helping Hands Fund in the name of his late wife Carol Kirken. She was one of the original 100 women who founded the organization in 2000. It now has 225 Partners ($1,000) and nine Legacy Circle members ($5,000 and up) and makes annual grants to agencies that make a difference in women’s lives. The Summer Soiree raised $6,000 and inspired three new Partners to join.

Judson Center Golf Challenge

The 26th annual golf fundraiser for the Judson Center was chaired by John Giamarco and Ryan Krause and brought 130 players to Franklin Hills Country Club. The team from G2 Consulting Group finished first and John Andrews hit the longest drive. Then there was the raffle for whatever ball landed closest to the hole after being dropped from a helicopter (sic) as the cocktail hour crowd watched. Bob Bouren had the winning numbered-ball, but he gave the $5,000 prize back to Judson center. Inspired perhaps by two who spoke during the dinner program emceed by Anne Marie LaFlamme: JC foster navigator Melissa Covell, who has personally fostered 23 children and knows that “...love changes outcomes,” and Lucine Taman, who spoke about her son “...for the first time with Trey in the room... He has not only thrived with Judson Center therapies, he has become a performer, which is unusual for those with autism”, she noted. Four live auction items then garnered more than $11,000. Thanks also to generous sponsors (see photo gallery), the sporting event raised nearly $130,000 to support JC services to more than 9,000 people in 29 counties.

Rochester Garden Walk

The Rochester Garden Club, a branch of the Woman’s National Farm and Garden Association, was founded in 1935 and stages a garden walk each summer. This year it attracted more than 750 flower lovers who visited the garden and vendor stations set up at the Van Hoosen Farm Museum before touring five private gardens plus the Stone Cottage Garden at the Older Persons Center (OPC). It is the result of four years of tender, loving care by the OPC Late Bloomers Gardening Group directed by Master Gardener Nancy Szerlag. OPC visitors also saw artist Laurie Tennent’s “Botanicals” displayed in the garden, a certified Monarch Station butterfly garden directed by Sandy Niks and Mike Lawless’ remarkable rock garden at the rear fitness entrance. When the gardens closed to tourists, OPC members gathered for an afterglow with music by the OPC Musicians.

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

Ghana Mission Donor Dinner

Beaumont Children’s Miracle Classic

Paul W. Smith PAL Invitational

DIA Founders Junior Council FASH BASH

Forgotten Harvest Cruisin’ to Drive Out Hunger

AHEAD FOR SOCIAL LIGHTS

The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit Fifth Annual Interchange Art + Dinner Series fundraiser offers eight dinners in spectacular locations from Detroit to Long Island featuring landmark architecture, lakefront vistas and outstanding art collections. The remaining events are hosted by Roz and Scott Jacobson at 7 pm, Friday, August 24 in their Bloomfield Hills home; Ann Stevenson and Curt Catallo at 7 pm, Saturday Sept. 8 at their lakefront Grosse Pointe home. For tickets call 313.832.6622 or go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mocads-5th-annual-interchange-art-dinner-series-summer-fundraiser-tickets-44485967727.

Jason Brooks, Kevin Elbinger and Renee Wolgin are chairing Rub-A-Dub 5:30 pm, Tuesday, Aug. 21 at Franklin Hills Country Club. The annual event benefiting ORT’s education programs will honor Randy Wertheimer. Call 248-723-8880 for tickets.

Tom MacLean and Rhonda Adams are chairing Angels Place Friends and Family Fun Day 10 am – 2 pm, Saturday, August 25 on the Marian High School campus. Plans include arcade games with prizes (chaired by Mark & Amy Carroll), a basketball challenge (chaired by Tammi & Joey Jonna), a Michigan raffle (chaired by Julia Furtaw and Marta Hoetger), a video game tent, non-stop food tent (Coneys/veggie option/icecream/snow cones/popcorn/Pop Daddy), slide, inflatables, dunk tank, petting zoo, rock climbing wall, face painting, sports mascots, and a hoedown. For tickets ($20-per person; $85-family of 5) go to https://www.angelsplace.com/events/. They are also available at the door.

Frank Torre and Kerrie Binno are chairing the Boys Hope Girls Hope Liberty Mutual Invitational Monday, Aug. 27 at Franklin Hills Country Club. Plans also include post golf cocktails, dinner, auctions and awards program. Go to https://bhghdetroit.org/news-events/ for sponsorships, registration and details or call Nancy Stahl or Michael Gallo at the Boys Hope Girls Hope office at (313) 862-0707.

The annual Big Wine Classic that raises college scholarship funds for deserving students and honors the memory of the late Rob Schuele is Monday, Aug. 27 at Birmingham Country Club. For registration, sponsorships and details go to http://www.bigwineclassic.com/.

The 18th Annual Ted Lindsay Foundation Golf Outing Monday, September 10 at The Detroit Golf Club offers golf, dinner and open bar, silent and live auctions and the awards program or the post golf-only activities. A highlight of the dinner program will be the presentation of two Courage Awards which recognize a person and a family who demonstrate great character and perseverance while living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. For information go to www.tedlindsay.org.

Laurie and Tom Cunnington are chairing Girls On Track 6 – 9 pm, Wednesday, Sept. 12 at the M1 Concourse to benefit the Women of Tomorrow mentoring program for more than 1,200 girls at-risk girls. Plans include valet parking, food, specialty drinks, thrill ride on the track with professional driver, racing simulator, DJ music by iHeart media and exotic cars on display. For sponsorships and tickets ($200-individual; $2,500 & up - tables) contact Jill Harris at j.harris@womenoftomorrow.org or 248- 430-4095 or go to https://womenoftomorrow.org/locations/detroit/events/.

Rose and Brian Bolyard are chairing the 31st annual Birmingham House Tour fundraiser for the Community House 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, Thursday, Sept. 13. Tickets are $40 in advance and can be purchased by phone at 248-644-5832 or online www.communityhouse.com. The event is presented by Hall & Hunter Realtors, with support from : Ethan Allen, Gorman’s Furniture and Boylard Lumber. Plans include self-guided touring of seven unique homes ranging in style from traditional to contemporary. Day of tour tickets will also be available for $45.

Linda Juracek-Lipa and Sue Nine are chairing Hospice of Michigan’s SPEED – A Chandeliers Event 5:30 – 9:00 pm, Thursday, Sept.13 at M1 Concourse in Pontiac. Plans include valet parking, open bar, a strolling dinner, one-of-a-kind thrill rides with professional drivers along the concourse and the program. It will feature the presentation of the 32nd annual Crystal Rose Award to Rabbi E.B. (Bunny) Freedman from the Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network for his passionate commitment to HOM and its mission. For tickets ($120; thrill rides-$100 donation) go to www.hom.org/speed. Proceeds will benefit HOM’s Open Access program that ensures palliative care regardless of age, diagnosis or ability to pay.

The Community House Foundation and the Birmingham Teen Council are presenting the inaugural Movie Marathon Friday, Sept. 14 12:30 pm – to Saturday, Sept. 15, 6:00 am at Emagine Palladium in Birmingham. Plans include 18-hours of movie watching fun, unlimited soda and popcorn, dinner, breakfast, a midnight snack. Proceeds will benefit Community House children’s programs. Registrants will create their own personal fundraising page to raise a minimum of $100 to participate. Contact The Community House for details on how to register at 248-644-5832 or visit www.communityhouse.com

Kirsten Adgate and Audry Moiseeff are chairing the Camp Casey annual Gold Rush Gala 7 – 11 pm, Friday, Sept. 14 at The Reserve. Plans include valet parking, heavy hors d'oeuvres, open bar, silent auction, dessert auction and entertainment. For tickets ($100, $250 and up) go to www.camp-casey.org. Proceeds support Camp Casey equine programs for kids with cancer and their families.

The Rochester Area Neighborhood House will celebrate 50 years of helping people in crisis on Sunday, Sept. 16 at Canterbury Village in Lake Orion. Plans include a car show open free to the public from 9 am – 2:30 pm and a Birthday Party with dinner, open bar, music and silent auction from 3 – 7 pm. For tickets to the latter ($115) go to www.ranh.org/events or call 248-651-5836, ext. 17.

The Community House third annual SIP Food & Wine Classic, a unique event celebrating cuisine and wine, is 8:30 pm, Friday, Sept. 21 at the Community House. Plans include valet parking, exceptional wine and small plate food stations with area Chefs and Sommeliers, and wine-centric silent and live auctions. For tickets ($298-patron 6 pm arrival, $195-general; $95-Young Adult 21 to 30) call 248-644-5832 or go to www.communityhouse.com. The event serves as a signature fundraiser for The Community House Foundation, a charitable nonprofit organization under the umbrella of The Community House.​

The New Day Foundation for Families Hope Shines Gala is 6 pm, Friday, Sept. 21 at Detroit’s Atheneum Hotel. Plans include valet parking, dinner, silent and live auctions, music and dancing. Gold attire to support Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is encouraged. For sponsorships and tickets ($200 and up) go to www.foundationforfamilies.org or call 248-648-1105. Proceeds benefit families with cancer-related financial toxicity.

OESA’s Julie Fream and Toyota’s Bob Young are honorary chairs of the American Cancer Society’s Cattle Baron’s Ball, 6:30 pm, Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Plans include networking, strolling supper and desserts, VIP Reception (6:30-7:30PM), live music - Ashley Lynn & The Spurs, silent auction, raffle, Mechanical Bull Riding, live auction, and the afterglow with Devin Scillian and Arizona Son.. The program emceed by WDIV’s Kimberly Gill includes a live auction and presentation of the Cowger Leadership Award and the Chuck Wagon Restaurant Awards. For sponsorship and tickets ($200, $500-patron, includes valet parking and VIP reception) call 248-663-3401 or visit cbbdetroit.org.

James Hoffa is chairing the Yatooma Foundation Champions for the Kids Golf Tournament Monday, Sept. 24 at Wyndgate Country Club. Barbara & James Rossmann are chairing the anniversary celebration which will follow on Saturday, September 29th at the M1Concourse. The two-part event commemorates 25 years since the passing of Manuel S. Yatooma and 15 years since the foundation began serving Michigan’s kids in his honor and memory. For sponsorships and tickets to both events go to https://forthekidsfoundation.org/champions-for-the-kids-from-the-golf-course-to-the-concourse Connie Beckett and Kelly Shuert are chairing the Variety Feeds Kids Luncheon 11:30 am, Thursday, Sept. 27 at Pine Lake Country Club. It will feature inspirational author/speaker Steve Pemberton, Chief Diversity Officer and Divisional Vice President—Walgreens. The Honorary Chairs are Karen and Alan Barry. For sponsorships and tickets ($125, $225-includes feeding one child for a year) call 248-258-5511, email michelle.murphy@variety5detroit.com or go to https://varietyfeedskids.event.

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