Open Your Heart to Stepping Stones
Open Your Heart to Stepping Stones!
The Stepping Stones 12th annual Open Your Heart, presented by Convalescent Hospital for Children was a huge success! The elegant Valentine-inspired evening at Eddie Merlot’s in Montgomery was chaired by Patti Zesch and netted more than $104,000 to support Stepping Stones’ programs for children and adults with disabilities.The night began with a lively cocktail hour. Guests mingled over wine and hors d’oeuvres while perusing raffle prizes and pieces of artwork, made by participants of the Adult Day program. To commemorate Open Your Heart event, participants from the adult day program designed and painted colorful ceramic bistro serving platters. Following the cocktail hour, guests transitioned into the dining room for a seated three-course dinner of surf, turf and Eddie Merlot’s signature red velvet cake for dessert.
During the dinner, Board of Trustees member Jim Shanahan & Executive Director Chris Adams led a brief program thanking sponsors, guests and volunteers for their continued support. Then, Jim Shanahan launched a spirited fundraising donation drive to support Stepping Stones’ life-strengthening programs. As a donation was made, donors created their centerpieces with colorful pink, purple and white balloons to add a slight competitive feel to the donation drive.
Stepping Stones extends heartfelt thanks to our dedicated 12th Anniversary Open Your Heart planning committee, generous sponsors, guests and raffle donors Scott Reising Jewelers, Montgomery Cyclery, The Kenwood Skyline/Drew & Chantilas Family and Perfect Solutions AV for truly making this special night such a great success.
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Thank you to our wonderful 2020 Host & Hostess Committee!
♥️ Adam and Rose Cristo ♥️ Ceci & Roger David ♥️ Kathy & Bill Drew
♥️ Dr. Megan Weisenberger-Ewald & Eric Ewald ♥️ Kailey Farmer
♥️ Heidi Ferneding ♥️ Ellen & Frank Grossi ♥️ Kathy & Dick Haglage ♥️ Marie Huenefeld
♥️ Katherine & John Jarnigo ♥️ Michelle & Kevin Jones ♥️ Suzanne & Bill Kite
♥️ Madeline & John Lawrence ♥️ Courtney Morriss ♥️ Liam and Betsey Shanahan
Enjoy Photos from 2020’s Open Your Heart, Below:
Rob & Patti Zesch, Open Your Heart Chair and Board Member
Patti Zesch, Elizabeth Pierce, Kristin Skidmore, Megan Joy & Ellen Grossi
Open Your Heart Commitee Members, Mary McGraw, Gigi Heidt, Patti Zesch, Dina Taylor & Clair Elson - Missing Debbie Alf
Stepping Stones Parent Speaker, Ellaine Herschede
Jim Shanahan welcomes and kicks off program donation drive!
Presenting Sponsors - Convalescent Hospital for Children guests: Dr. Ted Miller, Mark & Anne Stepaniak , Kathy Dempsey, Marianne Miller, Marie Huenefeld
Anne & Jim Shanahan, Stepping Stones' Board Member
Marianne & Dr. Ted Miller
Donna Grafe, Jenny Dilbone & Anne Shanahan
Sara & Patrick Hayes
Stepping Stones Director of Programs & Operations Sam Allen & Michele Miller
Donna Grafe admires the bistro platters designed and painted by the Stepping Stones Adult Day Program participants.
Kerry & John Mongelluzzo, Stepping Stones' Board Member
Julie Back, John & Pat Ryan of Raymond James - Sweetheart Sponsor
Mendy & Dr. Andrew Ringer - Stepping Stones Bloom 2020 Chairs
Cupid Sponsors - Jostin Construction, Matt & Debbie Riley with Stepping Stones Board of Trustees President Whitney & her Husband Charlie Eckert
Paul & Christy Moran & Stepping Stones' Board Member Dr. Katy Mezher& husband Mike Mezher
Alexa Oliver & Allison Masters
Karen McHale, Katie Coughlin, Erika Judd
Anne Schmidt, Shannon & Mike Rudnicki
