More than 400 enthusiastic supporters showed up Friday evening at the annual fundraiser for the Hannah More School at the Grand Masonic Lodge in Hunt Valley.
The theme this year was “GIGAMAJIG,” and the festive evening featured a silent and live auction to benefit Hannah More School students with special needs. The school provides individualized academic, vocational and therapeutic programs to students challenged with emotional disturbance, autism and other learning disabilities.
As folks arrived on this nippy night, they caught a glimpse of one of the auction items ? a brand-new 13-foot Boston Whaler Boat parked out front, donated by Chesapeake Whalertowne, Maryland?s exclusive Boston Whaler dealer. Chairpersons Tom and Katherine Myers greeted the guests as they entered the lodge, which had been decorated by students, staff and board members with more than 50 handmade kites. The band Mood Swings provided the music to keep everyone in a givingmood.
Not that anyone needed a lawyer, but the event sure brought out the legal community in Baltimore County. Those spotted mingling included Baltimore County State?s Attorney Scott Shellenberger; District Court Judge Robert Steinberg; Chief Judge, Maryland Court of Special Appeals Joseph F. Murphy Jr.; and Venable LLP attorney partner C. Carey Deeley.
Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith also made a special appearance to support the school and, of course, his daughter, Stacy McAleer, who was on the auction committee for the event. Also seen supporting the cause were the chairman of the Hannah More School Board of Directors, Laurens “Mac” MacLure, and Hannah More Foundation Board of Trustee Chairman Charles L. Klein Jr.
With hundreds of items at the auction, Socially Speaking caught up with School President Mark Waldman and asked him how they did it. “People are so generous and support all the programs that help students excel in spite of their disabilities,” he said.
Between the lively auction conducted by Richard Opfer Auctioneers, the great tunes from the Mood Swings, and the wonderful dinner from Simply Elegant the event was just as much fun as flying a kite.
As of Wednesday, school officials said they were still counting the proceeds. But if you missed the auction ? no problem. The school welcomes donations. Send to: Hannah More School Development Office 12039 Reisterstown Road, Reisterstown, MD 21136.
PAJAMA PARTY
Several ladies gathered their girlfriends and checked into Baltimore?s Tremont Plaza Hotel last Friday night for a pajama party stocked full of pampering for a great cause ? The House of Ruth, a domestic violence center for women and children. After a fantastic dinner, WBAL-TV channel 11?s Jane Miller introduced Tremont?s Amy O?Connell who presented a $5,000 check to House of Ruth Executive Director Carole Alexander. Following dinner the participants slipped into their P.J.?s and visited various conference rooms that hosted make-up artists, tarot card and palm readers, cooking demonstrations, dance lessons and plenty of giveaways. “Needless to say, a great time was had by all,” O?Connell said.
ANNE?S PICKS OF THE WEEK
The Harford United Charities, Inc. will hold its annual charity ball from 7 p.m. to midnight on Feb. 2 at Maryland Golf and Country Club in Bel Air. The event benefits Harford County Alzheimer?s Support Group. For ticket information contact Don Stewart 410-838-3535.
Cost: $150 per person.
The first-ever Baltimore Hockey Reunion will be held Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight at Tall Cedars-Lebanon Hall at 2301 Putty Hill Ave. in Parkville. Did you play for any of these organizations, or are you a parent, former coach or manager of someone who did??
» The Baltimore Boys Hockey Program
» The Greater Baltimore Hockey Progra
» Orchard Youth Hockey
» Baltimore Youth Hockey Inc.
Join teamates and many other supporters of Baltimore hockey for a deluxe bull and oyster roast. Proceeds benefit Baltimore Youth Hockey?s community service program for underprivileged children. Tickets are $35. For more information call 410-218-9104, or check out www.byhstars.org.
Anne Boone-Simanski is the social columnist for The Examiner and can be reached at [email protected] or 410-878-6131.
