Uniformed men and women were the guests of honor at the 2014 Armed Services Recognition & Appreciation Dinner presented by the Toledo Club Nov. 15. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were served in the Red Room. Then a bugle sounded, signaling everyone to mess — a tasty surf-and-turf dinner.
The presentation of the colors by University of Toledo ROTC Color Guards was followed by the national anthem sung by Betsy Rothrock and invocation by Navy Lt. Haraz N. Ghanbari.
PHOTO GALLERY: On the Town
Event chairman Joe Zerbey, president and general manager of The Blade, and University of Toledo board chairman, welcomed everyone. Mr. Zerbey, who is an Army Captain veteran, said “Thank you to all who have served your nation.”
As with military protocol, the highest-level individual in the military was introduced first. In this case it was retired Brig. Gen. Lance Talmage.
Theme songs from each branch of the military service were played as guests were introduced. “From the Halls of Montezuma...” was provided by Secor Road municipal Brass Ensemble, directed by Sgt. Elliott Nickeson, of the Army National Guard.
The United States Army, 323rd Military Police Company; the 983rd Engineer Battalion; Toledo Army Recruiting Company; UT ROTC; First Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment; Marine Corps; Air Force; Army; Navy, and Coast Guard were all represented. Also present were the Gold Star Wives of Toledo — those who have lost a spouse or child in the line of duty.
The evening continued in the Sports Grill & Tavern, thanks to sponsor TTL Associates.
The committee included Mr. Zerbey, Mike Goetz, Bruce Foster, Thomas Uhler, Jim Knapp, Mike Mori, and Lieutenant Ghanbari.
The sixth annual Heartwarming Party to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio was Nov. 14 at Premier Banquet Complex. Ronald McDonald House provides a home-away-from-home for families who travel to Toledo for their children’s medical care.
Mr. Entertainer played tunes as more than 500 supporters dined on food prepared by Premier and desserts prepared by students at Penta Career Center, shopped the silent auction, and bought Limited Edition Heartwarming Ornaments by Packer Creek Jan Pugh Pottery. The Lottery Tree Raffle was won by Barbara and David Darkock of the Cleveland area.
Emcee Sashem Brey of WTVG-TV, Channel 13 welcomed everyone. The national Ronald McDonald House Charities is marking its 40th anniversary this year, while the local house is celebrating 32 years.
Board Chairman Gary Yunker said the capital campaign is nearly completed and construction of a new house began a few weeks ago.
The Boff family, Mark, Linda, and Alyssa, expressed tearful gratitude to the house and all of its volunteers for providing a caring, home-like place to stay while their daughter was going through serious surgeries. With tears in everyone’s eyes, auctioneer Jason Whalen had an easy time with the live auction to Fund a Family. Kudos to event chairmen Pati Boyle and Beth Ballay. The event raised about $125,000.
The second annual Red Shoe Society of Northwest Ohio and BG & Beyond hosted an After Party Dessert Challenge presented by Effler/Schmitt Co. at Saba’s Bistro in the Holiday Inn Toledo-Maumee.
The society is a young leadership group focusing on the philanthropic needs of Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Guests sampled and voted on desserts from All Crumbs Artisan Bakery, CC’s Confections, Cookies by Kelly for Nanci, Creative Cupcakes, Cupcakes by Ashley, Eston’s Bakery, I Dream of Jeanne’s Cookies, Jera’s Heavenly Sweet, The Next Sweet Thing, and Wixey Bakery. The winner was Cupcakes by Ashley. That event netted about $1,200.
Diabetes Youth Services Sweet Success Gala: A celebration of hope and courage presented by Hylant, was Nov. 7 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Levis Commons. An estimated $75,000 was raised for programs for children who have Type 1 diabetes.
Board chairman Mike Messenger, who has a daughter with Type I diabetes, welcomed everyone. Honorary chairman Andy Suhy gave a heart-warming message of his experience as someone with diabetes.
Among the 185 guests were board members Angie Rush, Carol Agosti, Charles Chartier, Suzanne Robinson, and Sean Shinaberry, plus supporters including Dick and Fran Anderson, Marv and Nancy Robon, Mike and Kelly Hart, and Jim and Candace Gildea.
Event chairman Terry Shoemaker was assisted by Joe Smith, Patricia Presser, Sara Johnson, Diane Taulker, Barb Bailey, and Heidi Huebner.
Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor. Contact her at: bhendel@theblade.com or 419-724-6124.
First Published November 23, 2014, 5:00 a.m.
