Young professionals back ProMedica pet effort
8/2/2018
Barefoot at the Beach event chairmen Nancy Joy, center, and Nick Thomas with honorary chairman Bob LaClair, at left, are all smiles at the kickoff party.
PROMEDICA Foundation’s monthly young professional event, Impact and Inspire, was at Shorty’s Back Forty Event Center in July. Each month a local nonprofit is highlighted and supported.
This time, the more than 130 guests brought dog and cat collars, leashes, brushes, and toys to benefit ProMedica’s HARP (Hope and Recovery Pet) Program. HARP is a collaborative effort between ProMedica, the Toledo Area Humane Society, and the University of Toledo. HARP connects Lucas County adults who are referred by area mental-health providers with pets from the Toledo Area Humane Society to improve the lives of both.
Networking was at a premium as guests sipped cocktails and nibbled appetizers and met with furry adoptable dogs.
HARP was the brainchild of Susan Conda, who developed the concept and was the original benefactor from the community. Then she met Janet Hoy-Gerlach, a professor at the University of Toledo, when they both were sitting on the Toledo Humane Society Board. The two women began working together, and now ProMedica has taken it over. It’s a great example of how someone’s inspirations can benefit the community.
THERE’S still time to get tickets to the 17th annual Barefoot at the Beach for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Toledo on Aug. 11 at Maumee Bay State Park.
New twists planned for this year’s event were announced during the kickoff party with appetizers and libations at Carlos’ Poco Loco on Adams Street.
Honorary chairman Bob LaClair, president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Ohio, the event’s presenting sponsor, thanked the committee and clubs for their commitment to the community and for providing Toledo with “the best event of the year.” The Boys and Girls Clubs are close to Mr. LaClair’s heart; he is an alumnus of the South Toledo Boys Club. Barefoot at the Beach raises money each year to keep the four locations in central Toledo open for more than 5,500 youths.
This year's event co-chairmen Nancy Joy of Owens Corning and Nick Thomas of Danberry made a few announcements. The signature fund-raiser always includes great eats, spirits, music, and fireworks. This year, a new website, thanks to Avatar Syndicate, will feature an interactive mobile app for the night of the event that includes restaurant menus and mapping. Thirty-five restaurants, including many newcomers, are expected. The event also includes an improved site layout with more prime beach views for sponsors and a partnership with Schramm’s Flowers helping with this year’s mermaid theme.
There will be a signature cocktail — a Malibu rum-based punch — selected by the committee, which is sure to provide a tropical flair. Sally Culling, Matthew Hoverman, Erica Demey, Josh Wagy, and Brad Huntley were among the committee chairmen.
Tickets to the 21 and older event are $125 each. Go to barefootatthebeach.org.
WEAR your favorite vintage hat to the Rosina Birthday Hat Tea Party at the Grammes-Brown House in memory of the Tiffin Historic Trust benefactor’s 122nd birthday. The Victorian tea is at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at 172 Jefferson St., Tiffin. Entertainment includes a history of ladies millinery, a display of hat pins owned by Rosina Brown, and a demonstration of how to use a hat pin by Christine Pattee, who will have her own collection of hats and hat boxes on display.
A variety of savory and sweet treats and tea will be served on Rosina’s family china; the house and garden will be open for touring before and after the tea. Three guests hats will be selected for a prize, selected by a panel of antique enthusiasts.
Prepaid reservations are required. Call Phyllis at 419-448-8312. The fee is $18 per person for trust members and $20 for nonmembers.
Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor. Contact her at: bhendel@theblade.com or 4190724-6124.