Solon/Chagrin Velvet 1-7-09

By: Arlene Bryant
Date: 01/05/2010
“A Spark of Hope” is hosting a martini night fundraiser at Billy’s Martini Bar, in Mentor on Saturday, February 6. Enjoy half-price martinis, appetizers, raffles for great prizes, and more.

A Spark of Hope was started by local moms Dyana Fimiani and Donna Sparkman following the loss of their two precious children to lymphoma and leukemia, in 2008. They have since worked together to raise over $40,000 for the cause. Their mission is to support families of children with pediatric blood cancers and raise public awareness about the disease.

Pediatric blood cancers continue to devastate over 100,000 children and their families each year. The lives of Hope Fimiani, age two, and Michael Sparkman, age seven, tragically ended in October of 2008 as a result of leukemia and lymphoma. The non-profit foundation was established by Michael’s and Hope’s families in an effort to provide financial and emotional support to children who have been diagnosed and their families, many of whom are financially unable to adequately pay for the most appropriate and cutting-edge care.

So, open your heart, show your support, and have a great time, too, at A Spark of Hope’s martini night. Billy’s Martini Bar is located at 7701 Reynolds Road (Rte. 306), Mentor, Ohio, 44060, between Mentor Ave. and Rte. 2. Call 440-946-1672 for directions.

For more information about A Spark of Hope, or to donate to this very worthwhile cause, visit the website at www.asparkofhope.com. For more information on the event, call Dyana Fimiani, at 216-978-1672.
More than 550 people throughout the evening attended the Howard Hanna “Children’s Free Care Fund Event” at the KraftMaid Experience, in Chagrin Falls on Wednesday, December 9.

Howard Hanna’s “Taste in Chagrin” featured delectable foods from 17 local restaurants, including Gamekeepers, Fire, Austin’s, Trifles, Umami, and Yours Truly, to name a few. There were well over 100 raffle and silent auction items donated for the event. The goal was to raise $15,000 and, as of this writing, with cash, prizes and pledges, more than $20,000 was raised to benefit children without healthcare.

One hundred percent of all the food, beverages, raffles and silent auction items, entertainment, and host locations were donated. Major sponsors were Howard Hanna Mortgage Services, Barristers of Ohio, KraftMaid, and Bradley Owens of Creavos Development.

Celebrity emcee Jan Jones was vivacious and radiant. She and her husband, Dr. Sheldon Artz, made a smashing couple. A mountain of gratitude goes out to the following for their hard work and dedication: Terry Mitchell, event chair; Lauren Drew, co-chair; Michael Maniawski, marketing; Theresa Manley, printing; and Jane Maroun, restaurant coordinator.

Special thanks to the many Chagrin Falls Howard Hanna agents including, Joan Kosko, Ginny McSherry, Liz Scolnik, and Sherrie Johnson-Seitz, V.P. and manager/broker of the Chagrin Falls office.

Other beautiful people attending this great event were: Rosary Morrow, Joan Stanek, Sherrie Rider, Michelle Kane, director of product development, Medallion Lighting, Judy Vacca, Marilyn Hoag, and Tim and Mary LoGanke. It was a great evening that helped so many children.

You can reach Arlene by e-mailing Arlene@MimiVanderhaven.com.