HAPPY Thanksgiving!
It's a time to be thankful for blessings. As you gather with family and friends for a feast, remember how important they are to you and our community. Be thankful, too, for your health. I know I am. Then enjoy watching the parades and football games.
IF YOU want to burn a few calories before dinner, consider the annual Dave’s Turkey Chase presented by ProMedica at 9 a.m. Thursday in downtown Toledo. The family event includes a Turkey Chase 5K, 1-mile walk, and a kids’ run, as well as a virtual option all to benefit Cherry Street Mission Ministries.
The event starts along Summit Street at WTOL-TV, Channel 11, which is a sponsor along with Schmucker's Restaurant, Walt Churchill's Market, and Skylight Financial Group. Participants are asked to bring canned goods and shoes to donate.
THE ASSOCIATION of Fundraising Professionals’ Northwest Ohio chapter hosted its 35th annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon this month at the Premier Banquet Hall.
The award-winning local chapter is under the international association that advances philanthropy by empowering people and organizations to practice ethical and effective fund-raising via education, training, mentoring, research, credentialing, and advocacy. Its members and their institutions abide by a code of ethics and donor bill of rights, which ensures that funds are raised and stewarded ethically as the donors intended.
This in turn “helps support, raise, and inspire a culture of philanthropy that increases the quality of life for every person within the community,” according to the local chapter.
The luncheon is about thanking folks in our community who have given their time, talent, and treasures to help others. The motto of this group is “Change the World with a Giving Heart.”
Pastor Paul Reichert of Zoar Lutheran Church gave a prayer, then the 320 attendees dined on salad, chicken marsala, rosemary smashed potatoes, vegetables, and assorted cakes for dessert.
Then Jeff Abke, president of the local chapter, welcomed everyone. He introduced emcee Jeff Smith of WTOL-TV, Channel 11, who in turn introduced each main award winner. There were six categories, and a video was played for each honoree before they received their award and made an acceptance speech.
This year’s honorees included the Owens Corning Foundation for outstanding corporate philanthropist, as nominated by the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts; the Rita Barbour Kern Foundation for outstanding foundation, as nominated by the Toledo Museum of Art; Greg and Julie Hillabrand for outstanding philanthropist, as nominated by the ProMedica Foundation; Tara Ice for outstanding volunteer fund-raiser, as nominated by Justice for Sierah; Barbara Tartaglia-Poure for ACFRE outstanding fund-raising professional, as nominated by the University of Toledo Foundation; and Elise Ansberg for outstanding youth in philanthropy, ages 5 to 17, as nominated by the Greater Toledo Community Foundation.
The awards were handmade glass hearts inside a matte frame by Sunshine Studios.
Nineteen community volunteers also were recognized by the organizations that they have impacted in our community through their generous gifts of time and resources.
For the first time and in honor of the 35th anniversary, attendees were invited to give back and bring donations of food, hygiene items, and clothing that were donated to local organizations, and everyone was very generous.
Bravo to Caitlin Ballinger, chairman for National Philanthropy Day.
Barrbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor. Contact her at bhendel@theblade.com or call 419-724-6124.
First Published November 24, 2022, 5:18 p.m.
