THE Victory Center’s 18th annual signature luncheon and fashion show, Simply Sapphire, presented by Mercy Health was Feb. 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Common in Perrysburg.
Tickets went on sale Jan. 8 and sold out in under 3 hours and the event ended up raising $68,000.
The 550-seat ballroom was filled to the brim and the decibel of chatter was high. The elegant event was a blend of haute couture and compassion for healing as cancer survivors shared their remarkable journeys.
Featured speaker, cancer survivor, Mona Shousher was a crowd-stopper. She spoke fondly about her time and experiences at the Victory Center. She was particularly influenced by the center's Reiki offerings and the study of eastern medicines during her cancer journey.
The day included a gourmet lunch, signature ‘Sapphire’ cocktails, and an array of raffle offerings.
Nearly 1,000 Victory Sweepstakes tickets were sold. Prizes included a $995 value sapphire necklace from Alan Miller Jewelers, $3,000 value med-spa package from Blush Aesthetics, and a $3,000 unrestricted travel voucher via Central Travel. There were also 31 raffle baskets along with a door prize, Booze Wagon specialty raffle, and a genuine pair of sapphire and diamond earrings from CSterling in the mystery jewelry pull.
Mercy Health who was the presenting sponsor, has committed to being the presenting sponsor again in 2026.
Notable models in addition to cancer survivors strutting the runway included: Dr. Anita Antoniolli, Dr. Shaili Desai, Dr. Kara Hertzfeld, Dr. Nicholas Shamma, James Starks and Claire Mitchell of 13abc, and Dan Cummins and Kalie Marantette of WTOL.
The Victory Center, since 1996, has been providing cancer wellness services in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.
Its vision is that no one will face the cancer journey alone. All programs and services are free of charge.
Its mission is to provide hope and support to cancer patients, survivors, and those closest to them. It is completely privately funded — no government money or health insurance reimbursements — so it keeps going by the generosity of businesses and individuals. Donations are tax-deductible.
THE Erie Shores Council of Scouting America hosted recently its annual Scouting Youth Honors Banquet to recognize youth who earned the Eagle Scout and Venturing Summit Awards. The event also honored those who received special recognitions in 2024, including the Heroism Award, the Honor Medal, and the Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor.
Scouts, leaders, and volunteers from throughout the council gathered at the Pinnacle in Maumee on March 8 for fellowship, followed by the awards program and dinner. These awards recognize high achievement which requires passion and dedication. In scouting, the highest achievements are the Eagle Scout and Venturing Summit Awards. To earn these awards, eligible scouts must follow a rigorous program of learning, leadership, service and participation requirements that can take several years to complete. I'm proud to say that both of my brothers were eagle scouts.
Scouting America provides young people with unique opportunities focused on character development, leadership, fun, and outdoor exploration. On Feb. 8, the organization celebrated its 115th birthday, marking a pivotal moment in its journey as it officially adopted its new name, Scouting America. The redesigned organization flag was raised over its headquarters in Irving, Texas on Feb. 12.
The organization continues to adapt to meet the evolving needs of young people, ensuring that future generations will have the opportunity to benefit from this transformative program.
But the organization's basic mission has remained the same: to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Whether it’s a camping trip, a pinewood derby car race, or a trail hike, every adventure encourages personal growth by teaching youth how to set goals and achieve them with determination. Scouting America is dedicated to providing young people with the values, skills, and experiences they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
“Scouting America has helped instill timeless values for multiple generations of Americans,” said Roger Krone, Scouting America president and CEO. “In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the values and skills instilled by scouting are more critical than ever, and the need for strong character, ethical decision-making, and effective leadership remains paramount. As we celebrate 115 years of service to our nation, we are reaffirming our commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment where young people can develop these essential qualities, empowering them to reach their full potential, and preparing them to become responsible and engaged citizens.”
Scouting provides youth with meaningful life skills and lifelong memories as they grow into tomorrow’s leaders. More than 130 million Americans have been through Scouting America programs since its founding in 1910. Currently, more than 1 million youth are served by 477,000 adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country.
The Erie Shores Council provides scouting programs to the youth of northwest Ohio in Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Wood, and eastern Fulton counties. Under the leadership of approximately 1,800 adult volunteers, the Erie Shores Council provides a values-based, character education program for more than 3,000 youth in the community, including Cub Scouts (K-5th grades) and Scouts BSA (6th-12th grades). The council also offers Exploring and Venturing, co-ed programs for youth ages 14-20, to explore career interests or participate in high-adventure activities. For more information call 419.241.7293 or visit erieshorescouncil.org.
TOMORROW is St. Patrick's Day. Many wanna-be leprechauns will be out and about. Be sure to have a designated driver!
First Published March 16, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
