Associated Black Charities
The dozens of balloons that decorated the Hyatt Regency mezzanine provided a literal translation of the buoyant mood at the Associated Black Charities "2002 Annual Gala." At one end of the floor, balloons in the shapes of giant fish and sea anemones bobbed to the rhythm of a steel drum band. At another end, gold balloon stars rocked to the tunes of a hip-hop group. Beneath all the Mylar, some 1,000 happy guests mingled and browsed various buffets and enjoyed additional entertainment like stand-up comedy, video games, casino-style games, art and live jazz.
Among those spotted in the lively throng: Ken Wilson, event chair; Jerome Stephens, Charles G. Tildon Jr. and Harold Williams, event committee members; Victor C. March, Associated Black Charities board chair; Shirley Marcus Allen, Drew Berry, Luwanda Walker Jenkins, and Graylin E. Smith, ABC board members; Donna Jones Stanley, ABC executive director; Bill Jews, CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield president / CEO; Richard Swartz, Mano Swartz Furs president; Greta Jackson, Social Security Administration computer specialist; Karen Bond, Baltimore Education Scholarship Trust executive director; Sheilah Davenport, Crownsville Hospital Center chief operating officer; Acneil Muldrow II, Development Credit Fund president; Lisa Williams, Baltimore Medical Society executive director; Theo Rodgers, A&R; Development Corp. president; Anita Jackson, BGE supplier diversity director; Everett Jackson, Allen Realty agent; Bruce Bereano, Maryland lobbyist; Joe Haskins, Harbor Bank chairman / CEO; Cecil Flaymer, Ernst & Young partner; Betty Hines, American Skyline Insurance Co. vice president; Gloria Banks, Mary Kay Cosmetics national sales director; Adrain Boyer, Radcor Technology Inc. IT consultant; and Frank Morrison, New Jersey-based artist.
Particularly uplifting news for those who attended: The shindig raised about $155,000 for Associated Black Charities programs.
Wildlife Rescue
If you're going to throw a fund-raiser for Wildlife Rescue Inc., what would be better than to have the party outside, near the habitat of the types of animals the organization helps? That was the thought behind the Sunday afternoon gathering on the grounds of the Phoenix home of event co-chairs Enid Feinberg and Lierra Lenhard. And almost everyone there had a story to tell about why the group -- and its founder / president / director Gerda Deterer -- was so close to their hearts.
"Gerda helped us with some animals who were hurt that we found on our property," party co-chair Feinberg explained.
"I had some land and I wanted to give it to Gerda," said the party's guest of honor, Doris Clear, who has donated 46 acres in Carroll County for a new Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center. "When I looked at the plans for the center," Doris continued, "I cried."
"My daughter, [event committee member] Meredith Callahan, found Gerda when she found some injured animals," said Woodbridge Homes president and Wildlife board member Dave Matthias, as he explained why he's donating his services to build the new center.
Others among the more than 200 guests enjoying a perfect Sunday afternoon included: Richard J. Eventoff, Sandye Kaye, Gail Rice and Sandra Silverman, event committee members; Lori Bartholomey, Wildlife Rescue Inc. board member; Christy Steer, Multi Plan vice president; Charlie Gjerde, Spike & Charlie's Restaurant Group co-owner; Michael Matassa, Fusion Grill chef / owner; Paul St. Patrick, Townhouse Studios Matting & Custom Framing owner; Annette Davies, American Kennel Club dog show judge; Irv Rosenstadt, Rosenstadt & Associates CPA's president; Lindy Small, Constellation Energy national-state affairs director; Cindy Thomasson, PCS Homes president; Ron Wexler, Orphan Wildlife Rescue Center director; Nickie Jordan, Washington, D.C., personal trainer; Susan Wilkins, Rowe Companies creative director; and Ira Miller, Grabush, Newman & Co. principal.
The party raised over $50,000 for Wildlife Rescue Inc.