The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Foundation to hold auction
Gala to be held 6 p.m. March 1 at Milan community center
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: February 21, 2008
Winning bidders at this year's benefit for the Greater Milan Area Community Foundation can soar high in a private plane, escape the doghouse with a delivery of a dozen roses for six months or cheer until they are hoarse behind home plate at a Tiger's game.
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"People in the Milan area have really been very supportive by donating some great items and helping us to put together some unique packages," said Betsy Kanitz, chairwoman of the foundation's annual fund raiser, Lighting the Way to the Future II.
The gala will take place 6 p.m. March 1 at the Milan Senior and Community Activity Center.
"There was so much enthusiasm after last year's event that the foundation decided to do a repeat performance," said General Chairman Dennis McComb, superintendent of Milan schools.
More than $10,000 was raised from the auction at the 2007 event, where 175 bids were cast on 48 silent and eight live auction items.
Again this year, popular talk radio personality Lucy Ann Lance will serve as emcee with Al Fellhauer.
"For the women, we have some great spa packages, jewelry and household items. For the guys, we have tools and golf packages," Kanitz said. "We have dinner at Weber's with limo, an overnight package to the Ypsilanti Eaglecrest Marriott, two sets of Tiger game tickets and great tickets to a Detroit Red Wings game."
Kanitz and her committee also have gathered tickets to the Buick Open and a cruise to Blissfield for dinner at the Hathaway House with Verne Campbell and his wife in their 1924 Buick Touring car. There are travel packages, the chance for two people to attend one of Christian Thompson's cooking classes and a variety of other items.
"Bidding will start as low as $20. Our goal is to provide a variety of items so that there is something of interest to everyone while being within everyone's spending limits," Kanitz said.
Dinner will this year be orchestrated by Laura's Catering of Chelsea.
The foundation is building an endowment fund, financially supporting community groups that serve residents of the greater Milan area with annual grants from earned interest.
In just three years, the Greater Milan Area Community Foundation has built an endowment fund that has since awarded $37,000, interest earned on the fund, to local nonprofit groups who do good things in the Milan area.
In 2008, it's very possible that fund will top the $1 million mark, thanks in part to the bidders at next week's auction.
Serving as auction chairwoman is Betsy Kanitz, dinner arrangements are being handled by Sharon Simecek and Linda Squires, decorations by Rachelle Nyitray and Linda Squires, program by Carolyn Burlingame and Bryan Girbach, ticket sales by Tom Preston and Scott Dotson, and publicity is being handled by Isabelle Schultz and Chad Nyitray.
Members of the Milan High School Student Council are providing a coat check service and valet parking for guests, said student council adviser Sue Kanitz.
Proceeds from the benefit will be earmarked for the new foundation's endowment fund from which grants to local programs and nonprofit organizations are awarded annually.
The event begins at 6 p.m. March 1 with cocktails, appetizers and a chance to bid in the silent auction, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and the live auction. For tickets, at $60 per person, call Scott Dotson at 439-2014.
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