Sophisticated Society

from Sophisticated Living Columbus Spring 2021

BEYOND THE BRICK

CHILDREN’S HUNGER ALLIANCE 2021 MENU OF HOPE BENEFIT

The Children’s Hunger Alliance hosted its 26th annual Menu of Hope benefit virtually on February 25th, 2021 to support Ohio’s children living with food insecurity. A prodigious success, the event raised nearly $500,000 through its corporate sponsors and 800 attendees. For the first time in its history, the event was held virtually providing the opportunity for more guests than ever before to bolster the battle against children’s hunger. Kurt Ludlow and Stacia Naquin, Fox 28 and ABC6 anchors, served as hosts for the event, with Naquin returning to emcee the event for her fifth time.

**John Quiñones attended a special discussion with local Hispanic leaders preceding the event**

The show featured guest speakers Jimmy Wayne, best-selling author and country music artist, as well as Sophisticated Living Columbus’ very own Editor-In- Chief, Amelia Jeffers. Additional speakers included Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine, Mayor Wade Kapsukiewicz of Toledo, Steve Denny, executive director of business affairs of Winton Woods City Schools and CHA board member, Chrissy Musser, food service director of Meigs Local School District, Chris Burkhardt, executive director of school nutrition of Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and more. For more information on events or the Children’s Hunger Alliance, visit Children’s Hunger Alliance – Ohio. These photos are from the 2017 event.

**Jeff Brock, John Quiñones, and Judith Mobley**

**Steve Francis, Terri Sullivan, John Quiñones, Stacia Naquin, and Nick Fortine**

**Emcees Terri Sullivan and Stacia Naquin**

**Tony D'Angelo, Bernie Ostrowski, and Nick Fortine**

COLUMBUS MUSEUM OF ART WONDERBALL

The Columbus Museum of Art hosted its 7th annual Wonderball on January 30th, 2021. For the first time in its history, the event was held virtually with no cost of admission in celebratrion of Columbus’ creative spirit. Since its 2015 beginning, the fundraiser has welcomed more than 8,000 guests and generated nearly $1,000,000 in support of the museum. Attendees were treated to an awe-inspiring evening of black & white fashion, performances, music, art, interactive experiences, and much more.

**Brooke Brooks, Chris Brooks, Renee Rankin, Shaun Laubis**

Performances included pole ballet by Amelia Gandara and Micaela Gonzalez, fashion by Keäma Official, movement and music collaborative work by Shades of Color, community-built poem performed by Cynthia Amoah, talk show with Hakim Callwood, and secrets of synth with DJ Moxy Martinez. Premiered this year was the museum’s Wonder Experience, a chance to be inspired, challenged, and surprised each month until the in-person 2022 Wonderball. 2021 Event Chairs included Lee Lochtefeld, Christina Basham, Raymond Weaver, and Ann Mulvany who led a 50-member volunteer planning committee to organize this year’s Wonderball experience.

For more information on the Columbus Museum of Art, visit Columbus Museum of Art. These photos are a flashback to Wonderball 2016. Photos by Nathan Ward.

**Catherine Lang-Cline, Peter Cline, Emily Toney**

**August Preston, Angela Preston, Ken Hewes, Vicki Hewes**

**Hannah Mason-Macklin and Scott Ciprian**

**Richard McKee, Beth Crane, Gale King and Nannette Maciejunes**

**Quintin Graves, Michael Mack, Beth Gessler, Lee Kirkpatrick, Bethany Whoric, Brandon Ortez, and Candace Fucile**

RECREATION UNLIMITED’S 2021 VIRTUAL AUCTION

Last month, from March 18-22, the Recreation Unlimited Foundation hosted its Flavors of the Vine Virtual Auction. The four-day fundraiser featured an exquisite catalogue of high-end wines, all of which were carefully curated for a righteous cause. For over 50 years, Recreation Unlimited has provided recreation, sport, and education opportunities to individuals with disabilities and health concerns.

All proceeds from the auction were used to fund Recreation Unlimited’s 2021 camp operations, medical supplies and camper scholarships. The virtual event was presented by the Ginni Ragan, Walt Dennis, Judith Hook, Evelyn M. Liebert, Jack W. Liebert, and Deborah Liebert Karl families. In addition to its wine selections, the auction featured gifts and packages that would appeal to any philanthropic Ohioan. Those included sports collectables, fine dining experiences, concert tickets, and more!

This year’s auction may be finished, but Recreation Unlimited has already announced its 2022 Flavors of the Vine Wine Tasting and Auction for February 11, 2022. Tickets for the annual Star Light, Star Night exclusive event scheduled for June 9, 2021 at Scioto Country Club and featuring a wine celebrity are on sale now.

For more information on Recreation Unlimited, visit http://www.recreationunlimited.org/index. html.

These photos are from the 2017 Flavors of the Vine event.

**Don and Lia DePerro and Paul Huttlin**

**Bailey Driscoll, Matt and Amy Gutman, Paul Huttlin, Nancy Bjelovuk, Zorica and Tim Woodell**

**Paul and Sarah Jane Germain and Rick Germain**

**Frank Rease, Amber Salsburey and Stacie Rease**

**Paul Huttlin, Deborah Liebert Karl and Ron Karl**

**Chris Davis, Shawna Mignot and Paul Huttlin**

**Robin and Lindsay Sears and Paul Huttlin**

2021 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BREAKFAST

The 36th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast was held virtually on January 18th, 2021. Guests gathered to commemorate the life and legacy of the iconic Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in what is considered the largest event of its kind to honor the fallen civil rights leader.

**Co-Emcees Jerry Revish and Tracy Townsend, 10TV News Anchors and Reporters.**

All proceeds from the annual breakfast were used to fund scholarships at Morehouse College, Dr. King’s Alma Mater, and to maintain The King Arts Complex, a performing arts and education center.

The Honorable Joyce Beatty U.S. Congresswoman 3rd District of Ohio; The Honorable Mike DeWine Governor of Ohio; The Reverend Vincent L. Golden, Sr., Moderator Eastern Union Missionary Baptist Association, Pastor, Unity Baptist Church; The Honorable Andrew J. Ginther Mayor, City of Columbus, Ohio.

The event’s theme was “Now Is The Time,” an excerpt from King’s “I Have a Dream'' speech which highlights the importance and immediate need of collective action. Professor Melissa Harris-Perry, writer, professor, and the Maya Angelou Presidential Chair at Wake Forest University, was featured as the event’s keynote speaker.

**Dais of the 34th Annual (2019) event**

For more information on future events or the Martin Luther King Breakfast Committee, visit mlkjrbreakfast.com.

**Dance E.L.I.T.E. Performance Academy.**

These photos are from the 2019 event. Photos courtesy of Patrick Evans and the 2019 Martin Luther King Breakfast Committee, Inc.

**Dr. John Stanford and Dr. John Comerford**

**Keynote Speaker Dr. John B. King, Jr. and Bert Castle**

**President Shannon G. Hardin and Donavan Jamal Pinner**

GO RED FOR WOMEN LUNCHEON DIGITAL EXPERIENCE

**Kathy Toth, Jeremy Ball, & Lisa Bachmann**

The American Heart Association hosted its annual Go Red for Women Luncheon virtually on February 18, 2021.

**Mike Kaufmann, Ivan Smith, & Brenda Houston**

For almost 20 years, the AHA’s signature Go Red for Women initiative has battled the leading cause of death for women worldwide: cardiovascular disease. The global movement’s yearly luncheon bolsters its heart health mission by building awareness and generating critical funding.

Though virtual, this year’s luncheon proved groundbreaking with nearly 700 guests in attendance and over $1 million raised. Stacy McKay of Sunny 95, Yolanda Harris of WBNS 10TV, Brenda Baird, Executive Director of the AHA - Central Ohio, and Joice Wirkus, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Big Lots, all served as this year’s emcees. Guest speakers included Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, Kathryn Childers, one of the first female U.S. Secret Service agents, Ola Snow, chief human resources officer at Cardinal Health, and Nina West, drag queen, activist, and founder of the Nina West Fund.

The event covered a variety of topics beyond heart health such as overall wellbeing, COVID-19, Black History Month, and the AHA’s 2024 Impact Goals. Additionally, the subject of empowerment was explored through discussion on the disparities between gender, race, and LGBTQ community members. This year’s success was headed by event chair Unhee Kim, president and chief operating officer at Mount Carmel East.