It was a night of big hats and big fun at Catholic Charities of Summit County’s fourth annual Derby for Dollars on May 3 at Portage Country Club.
The night featured Father Leo Patalinghug of fatherleofeeds.com, a priest and professional chef who travels the world cooking and preaching about the importance of families cooking and dining together. He made an appetizer of penne ala vodka with meatballs and shrimp on stage. Portage Country Club chef Jonathan Pepera planned the evening’s dinner menu.
Master of ceremonies was Cleveland TV personality Robin Swoboda who also writes a column for The Beacon Journal and ohio.com. A private Mass and dinner party for 10 with Cleveland Bishop Nelson Perez was part of the live auction. There were nearly 50 silent auction items, a bourbon pull and a Stuff-the-Purse live auction.
In addition, there were three grand raffle drawings for Cedar Point tickets, a golf package, and a Coach package.
Sponsors for the event were The Maynard Family Foundation (Triple Crown); First National Bank and Living Bread Radio (Blue Ribbon); S.A. Comunale, Marhofer Chevrolet, Hudec Dental, Terry & Patricia Taylor (Fast Track); and Friends of Camp Christopher, Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, Deloitte & Touche, The K Company (Derby).
Event organizers also thanked Bishop Perez, Father Leo, Swoboda, TLC Catering, Sue Cianciola, Lori Limbacher, GreyHerd Solutions, Tuesday Photography, the staff at Portage Country Club, Bob Pacanovsky from The Black Tie Experience, the volunteers and the Derby for Dollars Committee chaired by Linda Nuosci and Scott Roubic.
Proceeds benefit the Catholic Charities Basic Needs programs in Summit County which include emergency rent and utility assistance, community hot meals and the food pantry.
Photos provided by Tuesday Photography.