It looked like something out of “The Great Gatsby” at the Pearls, Feathers, Spats and Hats Gala to benefit the Casey Cares Foundation. The Roaring ?20s hit the Masonic Lodge at Bonnie Blink in Hunt Valley recently, turning the usually stoic surroundings into a speakeasy that would have made Al Capone envious. A glamorous gang, wearing their flapper dresses and zoot suits, packed the joint and brought the Age of the Charleston to 2007.
More than $65,000 was raised for the nonprofit, which assists critically ill children and their families throughout the mid-Atlantic region, according to Pam Goode, who is the foundation?s communications director.
Casey Cares founder and Executive Director Casey Baynes couldn?t contain her enthusiasm at the generous outpouring. “We are thrilled so many people dressed up and had such a good time,” she said. “By raising $20,000 more than last year, our supporters have proven what generous hearts they continue to have.”
Some of those supporters included: Fox 45 meteorologist Vytas Reid, who served as emcee; gala chairman Marcus Aiello; Rachel Lewkowicz, executive program assistant for CCF; Gil Kuta, a CCF board member; Gian Michelle Gennari, who owns Brandon?s Home Furnishings in Hunt Valley; and Chad Wollenweber, of Wollenweber?s Trucking and Warehouse.
Guests were entertained by The Charm City Swing Dancers and the music of Small Miracle.
CELEBRITY CHEFS: RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
The Arc-Northern Chesapeake Region welcomed more than 450 people to its third annual After dArc celebrity chef and auction event recently at the Maryland Golf and Country Club in Bel Air. This celebrity-filled event raised more than $90,000 to support The Arc?s Supported Living Services, according to Arc development staffer Elaine Orbino.
Celebrity chefs manned stations throughout the club and included Harford County Executive David Craig at the carving station and Advanced Business System?s Alan Elkin at the seafood station. At the ballpark station, Tom Matte, Toni Linhart and Artie Donovan dished out hot dogs. Naturally, Artie made sure more than enough Schlitz beer was available. WMAR-TV?s Scott Garceau and WJZ-TV?s Donna Hamilton and Bob Turk made sure the crowd got going at their Martini Station.
As supporters were wined and dined, they enjoyed the music of Tony Berry and New Money.
The event was chaired by Pat Castro, who praised the work of the After dArc volunteer committee.
Society Spotters
The Examiner needs you to be the eyes and ears of Crabtown, and not just B?more. We?re calling on Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties, too. If you spot a celeb, let me know at [email protected].
Share photos of your charity fundraising event with the community. E-mail high-resolution .jpg attachments to [email protected].
All images must include full names and basic information about the event, including the proper name of the organization, the date and place of the event and any specific cause being supported.
ANNE?S PICKS OF THE WEEK
» What: Lights! Camera! Action! The Borrowers? Bash.
» Where: The Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St., Baltimore
» When: 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday
» Tickets: $75 to $250 (for VIP reception).
» Special guests: Academy Award-nominee John Astin, political satirist Christopher Buckley and Washington Post film critic Ann Hornaday.
» Info: 410-545-3115, or www.prattlibrary.org.
» What: Simple Elegance House Tour and Tea, to benefit two area nonprofits ? The Family and Children?s Services of Central Maryland and The Hampden Family Center.
» Where: 206 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills.
» When: Tuesday through April 24.
» Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Sunday, when the hours are from 1 to 5 p.m. Evening hours only on April 19 from 5.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
» Tickets: $16 in advance ($14 for students and seniors); $18 at the door.
Anne Boone-Simanski is the social columnist for The Examiner and can be reached at [email protected] or 410-878-6131.
