House of Providence Wishes Gala The Wishes Gala benefiting J and Maggie Dunn’s home for foster system girls attracted 600 people ($125 ticket) to the Royal Park Hotel for a joyful night. The dinner program emceed by Chuck Gaidica began with a Mt. Zion School of Performing Arts dance group and concluded with a beautiful vocal by Quela Harris. In between it contained many highlights: the earnest dedication to kids that was evident in their remarks when Warrior Honorees Michigan Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Barash and judge Karen Braxton accepted their awards; the joy when Survivor Honoree Tiffany Sinawi learned she, her mom and two sisters were going on a Disney cruise; country singer, writer Jimmy Wayne’s music and his moving saga of growing up homeless; the news that House of Providence has acquired 118 acres in Oxford for a homes to serve boys and children with disabilities as well as girls. The fourth annual gala raised $175,000 for House of Providence. St. Hugo Razzle Dazzle Club The fifth annual Razzle Dazzle fundraiser attracted 160 ($70 & $170 tickets) to Oakland Hills Country Club for ladies night out supping, socializing, shopping (16 vendors offered giftables) and raffles. Lorraine Carlin won the grand raffle prize – a $1,000 Somerset Collection gift card. Karen Seitz chaired the evening event which replaced the Altar Guild’s traditional fundraising luncheon. Proceeds support scholarships and local charities through outreach programs. Homes for Autism Benefit State Senator Jim Marleau, a supporter of services for people with autism, was honored at the 21st annual Ring of Hope dinner. It attracted 100 ($150 & up tickets) to the Village Club for cocktails, silent auction, dinner, entertainment and dancing. Prominently displayed was the quote: “A house is made of walls and beams, A home is built with love and dreams.” The event raised about $35,000 to help HfA maintain and pay mortgage debt on its seven homes for adults with autism. Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304; email samgerak@aol.com or call 248.646.6390. downtownpublications.com
House of Providence Wishes Gala
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1. J & Maggie Dunn of Oxford. 2. Patrick (left) & Bud Liebler and Rick Rassel of Bloomfield. 3. Patty Boyle Rassel (left) and Ann Boyle Liebler of Bloomfield. 4. Melissa Parks of Bloomfield. 5. Brian Jennings (left) of Bloomfield, David Barash of W. Bloomfield. 6. Walter (left) & Rayneld Johnson of Rochester, Bill Vogel of Grosse Pointe.
St. Hugo Razzle Dazzle Club
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1. Joanne Gordon (left) and Diane Roelant, Karen Seitz and Kim McInerney of Bloomfield. 2. Betty Desmond (left) and Laura Kerby of Bloomfield. 3. Mary DeBasio (left), Judy Juneau, Sandie Knollenberg and Gladys Kowalski of Bloomfield. 4. Martha Torre (left), Carolyn DeMattia and Marianne McBrearty of Bloomfield. 5. Germaine Mack (left), Ann Pohl, Sheila Konwalsky, Bonnie Gentilla of Rochester, Evelyn Bartoloni of Bloomfield. Photos: Joan Page
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