This year marked the 10th anniversary of the Butterfly Gala for Stewart’s Caring Place Cancer Wellness Center. The Saturday evening event at the Richfield home of Chuck and Maria Farro included fine dining and a fireworks display.
Marie Parker and Jeannine Marks co-chaired the fundraiser, which assists more than 1,000 local residents each year during their cancer journey. Marks organized the gala and hosted the event 10 years ago before the organization had its own facility.
This year’s committee included Sis Ames, Amanda Archer, Elizabeth Banasiak, Jim Betz, Kelley Cali, Mike Cohen, Erin Dickey, Andrea Ehrenberg, Rosemary Federico, Ailena Hyden, Mimi Markis, Debbie McKinney, Candy Mirman, Keith Mirman, Kathy Petrenko, Crystal Sabol, Teri Segal, Cathy Stephens, Beth Sugerman and Jacqui Suki.
Liesha and Kevin Dickey attended with their son Josh Dickey and his wife, Erin. Liesha Dickey said she wanted to bid on the apricot-colored Maltese puppy.
Copley High School students Hannah Pryweller, Clare Schreiner and Molly Schreiner volunteered to make the evening a success.
Attendee Bob Pontius said, “Cancer is sometimes too much for a family, and this is a place they can get help at no charge.”
Spotted in the crowd were Dr. Steven Paris, Hal Augsburger, Collyn Dyer, Mike Dyer, Dr. Ray Bologna and Dr. Andrea Bologna. Ray Bologna said they were going to bid on the sleigh ride.
Judy and Tom Stecz agreed that Stewart’s Caring Place does an invaluable service to the community. Jared Chaney and Dan Polk represented their company Medical Mutual. WKYC (Channel 3) chief meteorologist Betsy Kling served as the emcee.
“We’ve been to almost all of these galas, and I’m so happy to see how this agency has grown from its early years,” said Irv Sugerman.
