Fred and Sheila Ritter opened their hearts and their home for the second annual Open Your Heart to Lighthouse fund-raiser on Feb. 10.
Open Your Heart to Lighthouse is the creation of Bill Clark and the Lighthouse planning committee. Clark is on the Lighthouse board of directors, and with the planning committee, worked fast to arrange the extravagant evening. Most angles were covered with the exception of one.
‘I know Fred Ritter very well,? said Clark. ‘I got him to agree to use his house for Open Your Heart to Lighthouse, and the night was great.?
The Feb. 10 event was a smashing achievement, and all who attended enjoyed the pleasures of family, friends and helping those in need. The evening raised a total of $38,400, exceeding last year’s total of $30,000. All proceeds go to Lighthouse North programs.
Lighthouse is notorious throughout Clarkston. Lighthouse Emergency Services serves families and individuals in need by providing emergency assistance and promoting self-sufficiency. The Lighthouse motto is simple: ‘Our services are designed to bring low-income families and individuals from crisis and dependence to stability and self-sufficiency.?
During the Open Your Heart to Lighthouse event, the people of Clarkston came together to mingle and network, while enjoying good food and drinks. Ketel One donated an ice sculpture in the shape of a Ketel One Liquor bottle. The volunteer bartenders served martinis, which were chilled by pouring them through the sculpture.
‘Everything was donated,? said Sandy Wilton Manager of special events for Lighthouse Oakland County. ‘Our sponsors and donators have contributed so much.?
Additional contributors included: Aldo’s Pizza & Ribs, Clarkston Auto Wash Co., Clarkston Big Boy, Clarkston Union Bar & Kitchen, The Chocolate Moose, Giacomo’s Ristorante, Ketel One, Montana Cookhouse, Outback Steakhouse, Rudy’s Quality Market, Pam Ruggirello and Waterford Hill.
The event took five months to coordinate. The planning committee met as much as possible to ensure the event was spectacular.
Co-Chairs of the event were Fred and Sheila Ritter and David and Shelagh VanderVeen. The host committee included: Bill and Glen Clark, Bill and Dawn Horner, Tom and Tami Lowrie, Mike and Michelle Maher, John and Renee Nannini, Rick and Megan Nini, Carolyn Parcha and Al and Pam Ruggirello.
When organizers say everything was donated, they are not kidding. The rooms were filled with lovely floral arrangements, courtesy of Teresa and Bob Petherbridge of Waterford Hill Florists. In addition to providing their home, the Ritter’s also arranged for valet and worked with the Independence Township service center to have shuttle buses for the guests.
Open Your Heart sold 207 tickets at $100 each. In addition, the fund-raiser offered four different levels of sponsorship.
The Heart of Platinum sponsors include: Bill and Gwen Clark with Coldwell Banker Schweitzer; Clarkston Chrysler Jeep; The Clarkston News; Mary Dittrich; Sharon Frericks with Coldwell Banker Schweitzer; Patti Gilman with Coldwell Banker Schweitzer; Robert Kostin, P.C.; Pam and Al Ruggirello; John and Renee with Clarkston Big Boy; Fred and Sheila Ritter; and Standard Federal Bank.
The Heart of Gold sponsors include: Ed and Gretchen Adler; The Daily Oakland Press; James Fitzpatrick with Charter One Bank; Impressive Type; David Johnson with Victor International Corporation; Karlstrom with Cooney, L.L.P.; Todd and Marsha Moss; and Waterford Jewelers.
The Heart of Silver sponsors include: Advance Floors; Clarkston State Bank; Coldwell Banker; Golling Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Inc; Bill and Dawn Horner; Mike and Michelle Maher; Oxford Bank; The PACE Companies Tradewinds Aviation, Inc; and TCF Bank.
The Heart of Chocolate sponsors include: Coldwell Banker Schweitzer Marketing Department; Harry, McMillen and Fiederlein L.L.T.; Plum Hollow Home D’cor; and Dr. Bruce P. Mercado DDS, P.C.
‘It’s amazing how generous this town is,? said Renee Nannini of Clarkston Big Boy. ‘We are happy to be a part of the night and Lighthouse.?
‘You can’t donate to a better cause than Lighthouse,? said Priscilla Pandrak. ‘It seems to have many charities in one.?
‘I’m sure there are a lot of people who are surprised that there are people in need in Clarkston,? said Wilton. ‘I know that everyone that attended the event wants to help those people.?
Lighthouse hosts many special events, about 15 a year, to assist local residents. Open Your Heart to Lighthouse is certainly one of the most anticipated.
‘Clarkston is a warm and generous community and I’m grateful to be a part of it,? said Clark.
For more information on Lighthouse, visit www.lighthouseoakland.org.