Stewart’s Caring Place: Cancer Wellness Center’s 9th Annual Butterfly Gala was held on July 21 at the gorgeous home of Dr. Kevin and Brenda Spear. The Spears welcomed more than 450 people onto their property for another fantastic event. This year the organization raised more than $182,000. The gala enables Stewart’s to offer its services and programs free-of-charge to those touched by cancer.
This year’s theme, an Evening in Paris, inspired everything from the decorations to the éclairs served for dessert. Guests were greeted with champagne and Parisian music as they arrived. They had the opportunity to get their pictures taken under the weeping willow and in front of a 15-foot Eiffel Tower. Akron University Dance Institute students dressed as mimes entertained the crowd with their amusing vignettes, while Galloway Photography donated their time to help capture the memories.
During cocktail hour, attendees mingled through the silent auction tent, filled with sporting adventures, health and beauty spa packages, entertainment-filled weekends, and even a juke box. Guests feasted on Beau’s of Akron’s famous lamb chops, shrimp and other fabulous appetizers.
The live auction was filled with excitement as Bob Hale of Benefit Auction Services helped the organization surpass its fund-a-need goal of $70,000. Keith and Candy Mirman won a trip to Paris, Rennick and Dee Andreoli won the Cleveland Cavaliers suite, and Brian and Margaret Slesnick will be attending the 2013 Cleveland Indians Fantasy Camp in Arizona.
Prior to fund-a-need, Phil and Terry Meinen shared their family’s link to cancer, their devotion to Stewart’s Caring Place and the local cancer community. After their young granddaughters shared a poem they wrote about Stewart’s, there wasn’t a dry eye under the tent. J.T. Smith of Massillon opened the bidding at $20,000, inspiring everyone to raise their paddles.
Proceeds from the evening will make it possible for Stewart’s Caring Place to assist more than 1,000 local individuals each year during their cancer journey. Services include workshops, counseling, support groups, children’s programs, wigs and more at no cost to those in need.
For more information on Stewart’s Caring Place or the Butterfly Gala, please contact Events Coordinator Raven DeVoll at 330.836.1772; Raven@StewartsCaringPlace.org.
