If you listen to FM?s 98 Rock, you surely are familiar with the Mickey and Amelia Morning Show.
Good times roll with Mickey and Ameliaon the air. But off the air, it?s been a different story for Mickey Cucchiella and his family. Mickey?s mom, Sandra Cucchiella, has been battling a steady string of illnesses over the years, including cancer, which has led to the amputation of her fingers and both feet. Facing yet another surgery, she?s had the further misfortune of having her insurance canceled, and, at 58, she is too young for Medicare.
Padonia Station Sports Bar to the rescue.
Mickey, who has made many appearances at the Timonium establishment, hosted a night of music and comedy recently to benefit the Sandra Cucchiella Foundation. Padonia Station is a large place, and on this Sunday night it was packed with supporters. There was live music from Mitch Allen and members of SR71, Never Never, Crushing Day, Kelly Bell, Vs The Earth, Faded Image and with comedy acts galore.
One of the highlights for the 900 or so guests was the raffle for a 2007 Ford Mustang, courtesy of the always animated and generous Scott Donahoo of Donahoo Ford. Only 300 tickets ? at $300 apiece ? were sold, and John Novak was the lucky winner. (He opted for the $30,000 cash payoff.)
Support came from not only Mickey?s fans but also his “teammates” at 98 Rock. Sandra was visibly touched at the outpouring, and her children ? Mickey, Chip and Gina ? were right by her side. “It?s truly overwhelming to see all of this support for my mom,” Mickey said. Thanks to the raffle and a fantastic silent auction, more than $50,000 was raised for Sandra?s foundation.
For more information or to make a donation, call Debi Fowler at Padonia Station, 410-252-8181.
ANTIQUES FOR A GREAT CAUSE
This year, the annual Hunt Valley Antique Show celebrated its 37th year by benefiting the Family and Children Services of Central Maryland. Last week?s event kicked off with a lovely preview show at the Holiday Inn in Timonium, and co-chairs Kathleen Jensen and Cara Shea Kohler greeted many antique lovers, including Paul and Karen Winicki of Radcliffe Jewelers, Family Service?s Executive Director Stanley Levi, and Helen and Mac Passano.
A highlight was guest speaker Frank Farmer Loomis ? well-known antiques appraiser, media personality and author, who was a regular on the popular PBS show “Antiques Roadshow.” “It?s wonderful to see all of the beautiful antiques and the tremendous support for Family and Children?s Services,” he said.
Thanks to this kind of support ? more than $14,000 was raised, Family and Children?s Services can continue to provide services to Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties in the battle against domestic violence and child abuse, according to its public relations manager Debbie Feldman Jones.
ANNE?S PICKS OF THE WEEK
» WHAT: Harford Family House?s Capital Campaign
» WHEN: 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday
» WHERE: Maryland Golf and Country Club in Bel Air
» FEATURES: A Passport to Tuscany with Mario Piccini of Tuscany Winery; a five-course meal by chef Matt Slater; silent auction
» TICKETS: $200, available online or by calling 410-273-6700
» WHAT: 15th annual Penn-Mar Black Tie Gala, to benefit individuals with disabilities or human-service needs.
» WHEN: 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday
» WHERE: Grand Lodge of Masons, 300 International Circle in Hunt Valley
» FEATURES: Live and silent auction; four-course dinner catered by Manor Tavern
» TICKETS: Keith Peterson at 410-343-1069
Cara Shea Kohler, left, and Kathleen Jensen, co-chairs of the Hunt Valley event, had reason to happy: More than $14,000 was raised for the Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland.
Frank Farmer Loomis, second from right, of “Antiques Roadshow” fame, is joined by, from left, Susan Carey, Felicia Emry and Frederic G. Emry III during the preview party for the Hunt Valley Antiques Show.
A good time (for a great cause) was had by all, especially by preview party guests, from left, Paul and Karen Winicki, owners of Radcliffe Jewelers, and Robert Banks, a board member for Family and Children’s Services. Radcliffe Jewelers donated a pair of diamond earrings to the auction.
From left, Calbaith Wheaton, Rachel Seba (lecture committee) and Dr. Aimee Wheaton (preview party committee) are all smiles during the event’s live auction.
Anne Boone-Simanski is the social columnist for The Examiner and can be reached at [email protected] or 410-878-6131.
