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:
Karla Washington, Cupid Sponsors Brian Adams & Dr. Jilda Vargus-Adams, David Croall, Sid D'Souza
Charlie & Whitney Eckert with Matthew & Debby Riley
Karl Daniels, Melissa Geis Stepping Stones Finance Director, Ward Heilbronner
Betsy Shanahan, Cherub Sponsors Dina & Chris Taylor, with Liam Shanahan
Donna & Karl Grafe
Sweetheart Sponsor - Sugarcreek guests including from left to right: Susanne Heiligmann, Rhys Hilton, Allyson Schumacher, Stepping Stones Bloom Host & Hostess chair Dr. Kathy Saba, Ellen Grossi, Petra Vester, Jennifer Lightcap and Kristin Skidmore
Katie Letcher, Matt Eltringham, Susan Wilkenson & David Axt, Jim & Carolyn Harmann, Allison Mecca & Board MemberMatt Hemberger, Susan & Board Member Dave Eltringham, Stella & Board Member John Hassan
Board Member Fred & Gail Fischer, Bud & Mary Dornette, Bo & Ali Hubbard, Angie Fischer & Ried Cartwright
Tina Higgins & Inga Smith
Bill Carroll, Open Your Heart Founder Mary McGraw, Marty Walsh, Beth Carroll
Sweetheart Sponsor HORAN - Bill & Joanne Sloneker, Troy & Carol Debord, Christy Horan, Lindsay & Ryan Horan
Cupid Sponsors - The McCoy Family
Open Your Heart Committee Member Claire Elson, Debbie & Chip Graeter, Nora Elson, Mark Johnson, Rich & Jeannie Shurmer, Dave Elson
Stephanie Dallemolle, Louise & Board Member Jeremy Vaughan
Sweetheart Sponsors -J Cromer Mashburn Family Foundation, Rob & Patti Zesch Open Your Heart Chair
Emma Adams, Kathleen Sheil & Drew Herschede
Dr. Jilda Vargus Adams, Sid D'Souza, Karla Washington
Drew Herschede, Stepping Stones Executive Director Chris Adams & Parent Speaker Ellaine Herschede
Stepping Stones Bloom chair Mendy Ringer with Stepping Stones Development Director Kelly Crow
