Published by The Record Courier
The Kids 4 Coleman hosted its ninth annual Dessert Extravaganza to benefit Coleman Adult Day Services. This year, the event was held at the Coleman Adult Day Services facility in Ravenna.
The “Spooktacular”-themed event featured the haunted hallways of Coleman Adult Day Services, where costumed children went trick-or-treating and enjoyed a costume parade. More than 150 guests were welcomed at the facility as the Kids 4 Coleman raised more than $9,000 to further Coleman’s mission of supporting families and older adults in the community who are facing the challenges of their elderly loved ones. To date, the K4C have raised more than $79,000.
Many guests participated in a costume contest judged by Angie Reedy, Jean Tondiglia, Dolores Williams and Nancy Harris. All costume contest winners received Handel’s gift cards.
During the event, guests had the opportunity to participate in a silent auction consisting of DisneyWorld Park Hopper tickets, Cavs Club Level tickets, RUSH Dino Palmieri Gift Baskets, Don Basch Jewelers pendant, Kent State University Athletics basket, Goodyear basket, Bean & the Baker basket, Pure Barre of Hudson gifts, House of Holiday Ornaments items, Step2 items and many other donated items and gift cards. A 50/50 raffle was included.
Guests had the chance to enjoy food and desserts donated by local restaurants and friends: Guido’s of Ravenna, GFS, Bean & the Baker, and Zeppe’s of Stow, to name a few. Handel’s of Stow’s Bruce Hill arrived with his ice cream “pops” cart and Beckwith Farms provided apples.
Music was provided on the patio by Bill Walko and his acoustical accordian and in the facility, Marge Pagan provided music on the piano. The event was photographed by family friend and professional photographer, Jerry Leep.
The Kids 4 Coleman would like to express their sincere gratitude for the support of their sponsors: Atlas Rehab & Wellness Center, The Geopfert Company, Quick Service Welding, Dr. and Mrs. David Schlosser, Medical Arts Pharmacy, Bennett Land Title Agency, Tom and Jan Bowen, Nelson and Suzanne Burns, Drs. Jim and Lauren Walter, the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority, Brian Adams and Ray and Ginny Orrand.
The Kids 4 Coleman host the Dessert Extravaganza in an effort to raise community awareness of the services Coleman Adult Day Services has to offer. They hosted the event at the Coleman Adult Day Center this year in order to showcase the facility and its staff.
Master of ceremonies Tom Stephan kept the afternoon spirited and fun. Chief Executive Officer and President of Coleman Professional Services Nelson Burns welcomed the guests. Chief Officer of Coleman Adult Day Services Robert Steinheiser gave a brief overview of the facility and its many services.
Kids 4 Coleman Frank Bowen thanked the guests and volunteers for their continued support and thanked Coleman Adult Day Services for the services they provided for his grandparents, Steve and Rosemarie Mandalari. The annual Dessert Extravaganza event began in their honor in 2009.
The “Kids” are no longer kids but they enjoy coming together with their friends to host this event each year and celebrate the memory of their grandparents.
The “Kids” include Lauren and Jim Walter, AJ, Haley, Bella Rose and Stephen Spalding, Katie Post, Frank and Maria Bowen, Robert Morgan, Rachel and Regina Reilly, Geoff, Katya, Ari and Alexander Quinn, Alyssa, Noelle, Ariana and Jarek Marva, Heather and Hanna Siudak and Holly Geopfert.
The committee includes Janice and Harold Sims, Paul and Laura Marva, Donna McFarlan, Angie Reedy, Barb Walter, Michele Siudak, Julie and Alan Spalding, Jean and Tom Geopfert, Joyce and Jim Bowen, Jackie and Bill Reilly, Debbie Pfleiderer, Donna Hochstetler, Tom Hatch, Andrea Jeffers and Lauren Mazurkiewicz. For all of them it’s all about family, friendship and giving back. Their motto: “All that we are and all that we hope to be, we owe to our loving families.”
Next year will be the 10th annual event and the Kids are already working on plans for a big celebration. New day, time and place to be announced.