SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK added another $1,000. When the dust settled, Morabito’s gift inspired $75,500 to support the Backpack Program at FIVE area schools. Thus far the Gleaners Women’s Power events and Million Meal Match campaign have raised more than $300,000.
An Evening of Art + Science
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An Evening of Art + Science In a large poster depicting Al Taubman the late philanthropist seemed to be smiling his approval on the third annual Evening of Art + Science. It brought 250 people ($350 ticket) to MOCAD to raise money for the Emerging Scholars Program at the University of Michigan’s A. Alfred Taubman medical Research Institute. Institute Director Dr. Eva Feldman and Taubman’s daughter Dr. Gayle Taubman Kalisman welcomed arrivals and waiters offered vapor-emitting cocktails served in actual laboratory beakers. On display were one-of-a-kind paintings, sculpture and jewelry inspired by the cutting-edge science of physician-researchers at the university. The work captured the genius of both art and science. Serious socializing and supping on the stroll (Forte Belanger cuisine) offered some competition for bidding on the art. But at evening’s end, all 19 works sold and raised “tens of thousands of dollars” for new research grants. The fourth annual event has been set for April 20, 2017 at MOCAD.
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1. Dr. Eva Feldman of Ann Arbor, Bobby Taubman of Bloomfield. 2. Event co-chairs Kathy Goldberg (left) of Bloomfield and Edith Briskin of Birmingham. 3. David & Alison Demuth of Bloomfield, Alison and Richard Taubman of Beverly Hills. 4. Dr. Gayle Taubman Kalisman (left) of Palm Beach, FL, Sheri Mark & Abe Slaim of Bloomfield. 5. Peter & Danialle Karmanos of Orchard Lake. 6. Amy Willens (left) of Rochester Hills, Art Roffey & Gail Danto of Bloomfield. 7. Jeffrey (left) & Marsha Miro of Bloomfield, Elyse & David Foltyn of Birmingham. 8. Paige Frisch (left) of Bloomfield, Lauren Rakolta & Michael Fitzgerald of Birmingham. 9. Kathy & Tom Goldberg of Bloomfield. 10. Marc Schwartz (left) of Birmingham, Stephany & Jim Austin of Bloomfield.
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Ronald McDonald House Spring Tea
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3 1. Deborah Virgiles (left) of Southfield and Teresa Saputo of Rochester. 2. Patty Kostecki (left) and Sydney McKnee of Rochester, Jen Litomisky of Pleasant Ridge. 3. Alyson Henes (left) of Royal Oak, Kay Bagnasco of Bloomfield, Krystin Saputo of Rochester. 4. Jordan Kostecki (eft) and Autumn Gabbard of Rochester. 5. Madison Walker and Latrece Allen of W. Bloomfield, Tifanny Keyes of Rochester. 6. Mary Thomas (left) of Grosse Pointe, Jessica Saputo of Rochester.
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Ronald McDonald House Spring Tea The seventh annual Spring Tea chaired by McDonald owners Teresa Saputo and Deborah Virgiles to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit attracted more than 150 of all ages ($60, $25 tickets) to the Royal Park Hotel Saturday, April 23. Before settling in for tea, guests checked out a silent auction, a raffle, balloon clown and sketch artist. A new video starring kids drove home the House mission of enabling families to be close to their sick children. Saputo also noted that the foundation is just $500,000 short of its goal for the new Detroit house. Prizes to the oldest and youngest grandmothers in attendance went to Kay Bagnasco, 94, and Latrece Allen, 42. The enjoyable affair raised nearly $18,000, a record amount for the event. Mary Okray is chairing the next Ronald McDonald House fundraiser, the Motown Garden Party, 6 – 8 pm, Thursday June 16 at the house. For tickets ($60) call 313-745-5909. Editorial note: Deborah Virgiles, a longtime supporter of the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit, died suddenly at her Southfield home four days after the Spring Tea reported above. Her philanthropy and hands-on service at the house will be dearly missed. Junior League Signature Event The Junior League of Birmingham put a casino spin on its fourth annual Signature Event chaired by Jamilah Wright. It drew 100 members and friends to Bloomfield Open Hunt for black jack, roulette and craps. When people weren’t gaming they could do a wine pull, bid in a silent auction and get “shot” in a photo booth. At evening’s end, guests exchanged casino chips for prize tickets. Prizes were drawn at random and included wine, spa and dining gift cards. The evening’s proceeds will support the League’s volunteer training programs that currently focus on pressing issues like childhood health, foster care reform and human trafficking. Academy of the Sacred Heart Gala A Magical Masquerade, the second half of a two-part, 06.16