570 E. Waterloo Road • Akron, OH 44319 • www.goodwillakron.org Phone: (330) 724-6995 • (800) 989-8428 • Fax: (330) 786-2504 |
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Brenda Baum, Communications Manager Office Direct: (330) 786-2519 bbaum@goodwillakron.org
RECORD ATTENDANCE AT SIXTH ANNUAL TASTE OF VINTAGE EVENT
465 ATTENDED AKRON GOODWILL’S SIGNATURE FUNDRAISER
AKRON, Ohio— November 21, 2011— Shelby Morgan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries of Akron kicked off the agency’s signature fundraiser by welcoming a record number of attendees. Food, fun and fashion was the order of the evening at Goodwill Industries’ sixth annual Taste of Vintage benefit held Thursday, November 17 at Quaker Station in downtown Akron.
Event co-chairs Julie and James Merklin added to the evening’s magnificence by honoring Russ Vernon, retired chairman of West Point Market and, by asking everyone to ‘raise their glass in a toast’ to Russ for his significant contributions of time, talent and treasure in support of not only Goodwill Industries, but several other community organizations.
While party goers were enjoying food samplings from 15 area restaurants and specialty businesses, they had an opportunity to bid on over 120 packages as part of the event’s silent auction. Masters of Ceremony Sue Wilson and Scott Wynn, morning show hosts of WQMX 94.9, helped encourage spirited bidding by describing many of the items available for purchase and how the proceeds from those purchases helped support Goodwill’s mission of helping individuals prepare for, find and retain employment. Auctioneer Bob Hale of Benefit Auction Services kept the bidding excitement going during the live auction and was especially energized during the hand up portion of the auction raising more than $6,850 in support of the agency’s radio reading services ~ WEYE Seeing Eye Radio.
Rounding out the evening was ~ a Vintage Voyage~ fashion show spanning the decades. The show, MC’d by Scott and Sue, featured 40 models wearing garments from Goodwill’s Vintage Clothing Collection. From the roaring 20’s, the groovy 60’s, through the disco era and everything in between, models donned the stage to the overwhelming enjoyment of the crowd. Event volunteers and even several of the party-goers joined in the theme by also wearing vintage clothing!
Participating restaurants and caterers supporting the event included Akron Woman’s City Club, Earth Fare, Festive Food Catering – Mature Services Inc., Great Harvest Bread Company, The Bakery at Hattie’s Café, House of Hunan (Fairlawn), Little City Caterers, Mobile Meals, Inc., Pearl Coffee Company, Robert J. – Events & Catering, Saffron Patch of Akron, The Stew Pot Kitchen, University Dining Services at The University of Akron, West Point Market, and The West Side Bakery.
Event sponsors included OMNOVA Solutions, Inc. and W3 Wealth Management (Silver), BCG & Company, Bober Markey Fedorovich, Fifth Third Bank, Meaden & Moore, Welty Building Company, Ltd., and White Hat Management (Bronze) and In-Kind sponsors ~ Brent V Media, Rubber City Radio Group, The Green Room Spa, Shulan’s and T-Mobile.
About Goodwill Industries
Goodwill Industries of Akron is a not-for-profit corporation that helps individuals prepare for, find, and retain employment. Operating in the five-county region of Summit, Portage, Medina, Ashland, and Richland, the Akron-based agency was established in 1927. It is a private, independent organization, operating as an affiliate member of Goodwill Industries International, and a United Way agency in Summit and Medina Counties. Goodwill helps to directly strengthen the region’s workforce through its employment programs and indirectly through the net proceeds from its retail outlets and contract services division. For more information about Goodwill, visit www.goodwillakron.org or call 800-989-8428. ###