When Linda Watson lost her son to cancer, it struck a somber chord with Carrollton Bank?s Bob Hickey. Since Hickey, a senior vice president, knows all about finances, the idea of raising money for cancer research through a charitable function was an obvious one, and it wasn?t long before the Hope Gala was born.
Anyone who has worked on a charitable committee knows that success depends on hard work, a heavy commitment and a little bit of prayer. At the end of June, only 120 tickets had been sold for the Friday event, so it wasn?t the heat that was making Hickey sweat. He had personally guaranteed ? with his credit card ? a sizable turnout for Martin?s.
Now that?s faith. ” I prayed and prayed,” he said. “And it sure worked out. We got the lieutenant governor. [Michael Steele] on board, and the numbers eventually began to climb.”
More than 400 people celebrated the first Hope Gala, highlighted by keynote speaker Roxanne Simans, a two-time cancer survivor.
Although car trouble prevented Steele from making the gala, others in attendance included the Rev. John Bauer, Orioles chaplain; the Rev. Gerard Szmokowiak, pastor, Sacred Heart of Jesus; Carrollton Bank President Robert Altieri; Franklin Square Hospital CEO Carl Schindelar, who put $5,000 toward the evening?s cause; Donna Tenly, manager of Bel Air Oncology, who is the Baltimore Business Journal?s Nurse of the Year; and American Design and Build Ltd. President Joseph Tunney and his wife, Sandy.
A silent and live auction helped raise more than $25,000 for this worthy cause.
CELEBRATE ORIOLES HALL-OF-FAMERS
At 1 p.m. Saturday, the Sports Legends at Camden Yards will host a special event. Maroon PR?s Tim Richardson says Sports Legends will be holding an autograph and photo session to honor the induction of Doug DeCinces and Chris Hoiles into the Orioles Hall of Fame. There will also be a question-and-answer session. Tim wants us to know that this is free with paid admission to the museum.
DID YOU KNOW?
» John R. Leopold, a Republican member of the Maryland House of Delegates (representing District 31 in Anne Arundel County) was a state representative (1970-74) and state senator (1974-78) when he lived in Hawaii.
» That you can go to OpenTable.com for restaurant reservations and choose from an array of cities, including London, Los Angeles ? and Baltimore. One click and you can make your reservations online to more than 66 participatingrestaurants in the Baltimore area. You gotta love that.
» From now until Sunday, Maryland?s Sales Tax Holiday makes it easier for back-to-school shoppers. For information, go to www.marylandtaxes.com or call 800-MD-TAXES.
WHO? WHAT? WHERE?
» Turns out our governor and his family took this columnist?s advice while “down the ocean” last week by dining at Fausto?s Antipasti in Ocean City. While there, Gov. Ehrlich stopped and chatted with patrons and even posed for photos.
» Sotto Sopra, at 405 N. Charles St., is well-known for its fine wines and contemporary Italian cuisine. WJZ-TV Channel 13?s morning man Marty Bass dined there recently and says the Cocoa Foiade pasta is “amazing.” A quick call to the restaurant confirmed that this very popular dish can also be served with crawfish and mushrooms. Thanks, but we?ll stick to the traditional side of the menu.
» The Examiner needs you to be the eyes and ears of Crabtown. If you spot a celeb while you?re out and about, let me know at [email protected] or 410-878-6131.
Anne Boone-Simanski is the society columnist for The Examiner and can be reached at [email protected] or 410-878-6131.
