2017 Night of Angels "A Starry Night"

1/5/2018

Little did we know that when Night of Angels co-chairs Annette Royce and Julie Pietrosante and their committee decided to hold our annual fundraising event at the Detroit Athletic Club, that we were taking it back to the place where the very first Night of Angels was held 25 years ago! Their talented committee put together an amazing event based on “A Starry Night” theme.

The normal sequence of events was switched up a little this year. The 250 guests initially convened in the Detroit Athletic Club’s star-lit gymnasium for cocktails and appetizers. Val Ellis and her daughter, Lauren Fanslau accepted the Mary Virginia Merrick Award on behalf of their family Galencher Nagy Foundation. Their generosity enables the development and maintenance of the art therapy and enrichment classes at Christ Child House. Lauren, who attends the classes each week, spoke compellingly of their value to the at-risk boys who call the house their home. Directly following the award presentation, a video of life at the house was viewed and the live auction began! It was a lively auction, with auctioneer Mike Maltese, who donated his time and efforts to CCS. We are indeed grateful for his contribution.

Following the live auction, guests proceeded to the second floor ballroom for a wonderful strolling dinner and dancing to high energy music by The Rick Lieder Band. During all of this excitement, attendees were mobile-bidding on some great silent auction items gathered by the Starry Night Committee. There were over 40 silent auction items and a dozen Super Silent items as well, ranging from jewelry, clothing, hostess baskets to gorgeous diamond pendants and fun-filled events.

We can’t begin to thank our sponsors and item donors enough for their participation in our event. Without their support and all the people who purchased items that night, we could not have raised the $116,000+ that we did. What a huge success for all the children who benefit from the efforts of the Christ Child Society.

By Laura Karmanos, Media Specialist

View the 2017 Night of Angels Gallery